490 years after Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, a group of gay Lutherans nailed their manifesto to the “virtual door” of global Lutheranism on Wednesday, Reformation Day.
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries -“If `ordinary’ has come to mean `discriminatory,’ we have chosen the adjective `extraordinary’ deliberately to emphasize the `out-of-the-ordinary’ nature of our community,” in their words-says it’s time to allow openly gay and lesbian Lutheran clergy.
“The time has come for us to claim fully the extraordinary authority to certify, call and ordain pastors and rostered professionals on behalf of the whole church, especially when Lutheran bishops and other church leaders refuse to do so.”
When the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America meets every two years, they’re often given the chance to lift those restrictions, and so far, haven’t taken it.