The RCA adopted a resolution expressing “concern” over the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s controversial action to allow partnered homosexuals to be on the clergy roster.

The resolution was approved during the RCA’s 204th General Synod, which concluded Tuesday.

It comes nearly a year after the ELCA’s highest legislative body voted to permit persons who are in “life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships” to serve as clergy. The ELCA also adopted a social statement on human sexuality, acknowledging that there is no consensus in the denomination on homosexuality and recommending that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to recognize same-sex relationships.

The Lutheran body’s actions have raised a red flag for at least one of its partners. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod – the second largest Lutheran church body after the ELCA – is reconsidering its cooperative relationship with its sister Lutheran denomination.

RCA leaders, however, have voted to dialogue more with the ELCA on the pro-gay actions.

The two denominations have been full communion partners for more than a decade, recognizing each other “as churches in which the Gospel is rightly preached and the sacraments rightly administered according to the Word of God” and providing for the orderly exchange of ordained ministers.

When the ELCA opened the doors to noncelibate gay and lesbian clergy in 2009, the RCA – which currently does not affirm homosexual behavior and holds that it is contrary to the will of God – had no plans to end its relationship with their Lutheran brethren.

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