tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344424071192264900.post4686426484122032468..comments2023-03-25T05:42:56.513-05:00Comments on Sharing Ministry and Faith: The FutureSteve Thorsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17378015932917535496noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344424071192264900.post-31149069469063760322009-08-18T12:36:53.029-05:002009-08-18T12:36:53.029-05:00No congregation is ever forced to call any particu...No congregation is ever forced to call any particular pastor, so the ELCA does have "congregational polity" in terms of calling pastors. The proposed revisions of the ministry policies would give local congregations an official option (unlike the unofficial option some exercise now) to call those in same sex unions to be pastors, etc. That's probably the center of what I was talking about. As a practical matter, the ELCA exercises very loose oversight except when there is a major breach of policy, such as in the case of sexual misconduct, so, in practice, congregations act very independently. That's why there is such variation among ELCA congregations.Steve Thorsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17378015932917535496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344424071192264900.post-43152454520576011412009-08-13T19:21:35.003-05:002009-08-13T19:21:35.003-05:00Your bold faced comment, not binding on us, is int...Your bold faced comment, not binding on us, is intriguing. How does that square with Lutheran polity? I believe that Lutheranism does not practice a congregational polity, but you are taking the position that an action of the church in assembly is only advisory to local congregations. Does this apply to decisions of the synod in assembly as well? What positions of church wide or synod are binding? Are creeds or the Lutheran understanding of the sacraments binding on Lutheran congregations? Are congregations bound to call recognized Lutheran pastors as their pastors or do congregations have the option to hire anyone they choose?Rod Hillnoreply@blogger.com