October 31, 2007

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries formed and its nailed theology statement

Today Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) announced its formation from the merger of the Extraordinary Candidacy Project (ECP), the ECP Roster, and Lutheran Lesbian & Gay Ministries (LLGM). In its first announcement, ELM described itself as a national non-profit that credentials and rosters openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people for ministry; supports these pastors by working with congregations that will call them and by providing mission grants to support their ministry; and provides a network of support to the congregations and pastors. Pastors from the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries roster currently serve fourteen ELCA and two independent Lutheran congregations.

As part of its announcement, ELM released its Theology Statement by "nailing" it to the door of the Lutheran Church through a virtual posting of the document that urges "Lutheran churches around the world to return to their Lutheran core and end the practice of mandated celibacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender pastors."

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director of LC/NA, congratulated the board and roster of ELM on the merger: "As LC/NA remains committed to graceful engagement through systemic change from within which will allow for the full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities within the Lutheran communion, its ecumenical and global partners, we congratulate ELM on the formation of a merged organization which seeks to create the church as it should be in the now. For LC/NA, ELM is an anticipatory and prophetic community living a vision of full inclusion without further study and delay. ELM calls and exhorts us to a future they are already living where LGBT pastors are free to answer their calls from God and congregations are free to confirm those calls."

As part of its inaugural release, ELM also announced that Jen Rude would become the first ELM approved candidate to be ordained "extraordinem" following the merger. On October 28th, Resurrection Lutheran, Chicago, Illinois, an ELCA congregation, voted to call Jen Rude. She will be ordained by the community assembled there at 2:00 pm on November 17th. She will be installed as Associate Pastor at Resurrection's 10:00 am worship service on Sunday, November 18th. Both services are open to the public. Resurrection Lutheran Church is located at 3309 N Seminary Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60657.

Further information about ELM, including the Theology Statement.