A long-time, openly gay Altadena, Calif., pastor faces removal from the clergy after he exchanged rings and vows with his partner during a worship service at his church.The Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently formed a five-person panel to determine whether the Rev. John M. Kauffman, pastor of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, should be reprimanded for the ceremony, which disregarded the Lutheran Church's policy that requires gay pastors be celibate. It will convene later this month.
Southwest California Bishop Dean W. Nelson said he supports Kauffman's decision, but he added his personal beliefs will not be a factor in the Synod's decision.
If the panel suggests disciplinary action, Nelson said he would file formal charges that would lead to a hearing presided over by both local and national Synod members.
The matter of same-sex unions and gay and lesbian clergy arose in Orlando, Fla., last August at the denomination's church-wide assembly, he said.
When a proposal came to the floor supporting a church constitutional amendment to condone the ordination of "practicing homosexuals," it won only 50 percent of the roughly 450 votes. A two-thirds majority was needed to approve the measure.
from The Kentucky Post
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