|
President
Gerald Kieschnick refuses to publish a congregational overture for the 2004
LCMS Convention Workbook that is opposed to same-sex marriage and homosexual
clergy.
In recent
years, there has been widespread publication that the Presbyterian Church
USA, the Episcopal Church, the
United
Methodist
Church
, and the
Evangelical
Lutheran
Church
in
America
have accepted same-sex marriages and homosexual clergy on their rosters.
It is also well
known that President Gerald Kieschnick is trying to improve the LCMS’s
relationship with all denominations. He
continues to defend his position that LCMS clergy may pray with Moslem
clerics in public events.
As Kieschnick
works at improving the LCMS’s relationships with large, liberal, American,
protestant denominations, “tolerance” of homosexual clergy, women
clergy, and same sex-marriage is increasingly necessary.
President
Kieschnick refused to publish the following overture from
Trinity
Lutheran
Church
in
New Haven
,
MO
for the 2004 LCMS Convention Workbook.
To Declare Against Same-Sex
Marriages and
Homosexual Pastors and Professors
Whereas,
Officials of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod refused to present the
following overture adopted by
Trinity
Lutheran
Church
,
New Haven
,
Missouri
in January, 2001 to the 2001 convention of the LCMS:
Whereas,
Some professors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Concordia
University System have refused to declare that homosexuality is contrary to
God’s Word and that homosexuals who continue in their homosexual lifestyle
are going to hell: and
Whereas,
Dr. William Meyer, president of the Concordia University System, has refused
to state that homosexuals and supporters of homosexuality will not be
permitted to teach in any school in the Concordia University System; and
Whereas,
God says in His Word that unrepentant homosexuals are going to Hell (1 Cor.
6:9); and
Whereas,
Most major denominations now allow homosexuals to remain on their roster of
pastors, teachers and professors; therefore be it
Resolved,
That the 2004 convention of the LCMS declare that “same-sex marriage” is
contrary to God’s Word and not to be permitted in any congregation of the
LCMS; and be it
Resolved,
That the 2004 convention of the LCMS declare that no homosexual or any
supporter of homosexuality, who does not recognize that homosexuals are
going to Hell if they continue in their homosexual lifestyle, be allowed to
remain on the LCMS clergy or teacher roster or teach in any LCMS school in
the Concordia University System.
* * *
Whereas,
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is now being urged to permit
“same-sex marriages” and practicing homosexuals to serve as pastors
(Christian News, December 30, 2002); and
Whereas,
The Roman Catholic Church is being torn apart because of the large number of
homosexuals who are serving as priests (estimates by Roman Catholic
authorities range between 30 to 60 percent of all priests and seminarians
being homosexuals); and
Whereas,
The Episcopal Church has consecrated a homosexual Bishop who left his wife
and children to live with his male lover, and
Whereas,
Now is the time for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod let the nation and
the world know that there is still a major church body which will not allow
homosexuals to serve as pastors and will not perform “same-sex
marriages”; therefore be it
Resolved,
That the 2004 convention of the LCMS to declare that “same-sex
marriages” are contrary to God’s Word and that no homosexual or any
supporter of homosexuality, who does not recognize that homosexuals are
going to Hell if they continue in their homosexual lifestyle, be allowed to
remain on the LCMS clergy roster or teach in any LCMS school in the
Concordia University System.
Trinity
Lutheran
Church
New Haven
,
Missouri
January 11, 2004
____________________
Keith
Rethemeyer, President
____________________
Peter Otten
Secretary
|