The Minnesota Independent

Lutherans - Latest Stories

Minnesota Episcopals vote to oppose amendment to ban same-sex marriage

By Andy Birkey | 11.02.11 | 2:31 pm

Episcopal Church of Minnesota Bishop Brian Prior said his church “has always stood with the marginalized.” The stance is in sharp contrast with Minnesota’s Catholic Church, which has been a main proponent of a constitutional same-sex marriage ban.

Former Gov. Quie does about-face on leaving ELCA over gays

By Andy Birkey | 01.12.10 | 8:33 am

quieWhen Lutherans met in Minneapolis last summer to decide whether to allow churches to hire gay and lesbian pastors in committed relationships, former Gov. Al Quie urged church members to stay with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in…

Lutheran groups spar over inclusion of gay pastors

By Andy Birkey | 08.07.09 | 1:04 pm

Thousands of Lutherans will gather in Minneapolis on August 17 to take an historic vote on LGBT issues within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). With only weeks before the vote, delegates to the assembly are being wooed by supporters and opponents of a more welcoming church for LGBT Lutherans. If the measures pass, the ELCA would become the largest religious denomination in the United States to ordain gay pastors.

Minneapolis to host Lutheran debate on gay clergy, same-sex ceremonies

By Andy Birkey | 07.06.09 | 11:05 am

Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will gather in Minneapolis this August for a vote on whether to become more welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Lutherans. Their decision could pave the way for gay and lesbian pastors, bring same-sex commitment ceremonies to local congregations and impact policy in a state with a large number of Lutheran elected officials.

Lutherans can’t decide: Are gays good for the church?

By Andy Birkey | 03.22.08 | 11:24 pm

The largest organization of Lutherans in the world is mulling over how best to include gays and lesbians in its ministry, and the answer thus far is: they don’t know. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which has around…