Taking another step toward schism, a national Lutheran group angered by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s August vote to allow gay clergy said that it is developing a proposal for a new denomination for congregations and individuals interested in leaving the ELCA.

“We don’t feel we have a choice,” said Paull Spring, a retired Pennsylvania bishop now chairman of Minnesota-based Lutheran CORE. “The vote on sexuality opened the eyes of many to how far the ELCA has moved from biblical teaching.”

Local pastors who have aligned themselves with Lutheran CORE said it’s too early to decide whether their congregations would sever their ties with the ELCA, the largest Lutheran church body in Wisconsin and the nation.

Lutheran CORE called the Indianapolis meeting after the ELCA voted at its national assembly to allow congregations to call gay and lesbian pastors in, or expecting to enter into, committed relationships.
CORE members voted to begin discussing with congregations whether to move toward schism or work from within the church. It will vote on the breakaway proposal at its convocation Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio.

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