Conflict arises in local church over gay-related issues

by Timothy A. Strother

© Out Publishing Co. Inc

Issues regarding homosexuality prompted a controversial vote in one local church that nearly caused the congregation to separate from its national religious network.

Members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Monroeville voted Jan. 31 to remain part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), a nationally known religious network represented by the local congregation.

The vote came after several months of conflict over decisions made by ELCA leaders that would recognize same-sex relationships and allow homosexuals to be ordained.

Tony Molnar-Strejcek, publisher of Pittsburgh’s Out and an eight-year member of the church, said the ELCA proposed a resolution in August that would recognize same-sex unions and allow homosexuals in monogamous relationships to be accepted into the clergy.

Molnar-Strejcek added that the proposal also granted individual congregations the authority to uphold or abolish such privileges. That authority, he said, prompted the church’s 12-member council to adopt a motion to separate from the ELCA.

 “It ended up that these decisions would be left up to each individual church,” Molnar-Strejcek said, “and Pastor [Eric] Ash and some members of our church felt the ELCA was moving too far away from scripture.”

The church’s pastor claimed he was pressured by many members of the church to take action in the matter, which prompted the motion to split from the ELCA, Molnar-Strejcek added.

Good Shepherd Lutheran’s pastor, the Rev. Eric Ash, declined comment to Out on the matter.

Although the Jan. 31 vote reflects positive change for advocates of LGBT equality, its final results hardly represent a landslide victory.

 Molnar-Strejcek said the final vote was split nearly in half, with 113 in favor of splitting from the ELCA to 111 against, with two abstentions. To leave the national congregation, the church would have needed at least a two-thirds majority, he added.

While the successful vote certainly reflects progress, Molnar-Strejcek said the conflict reminded him that LGBT equality is a blessing that should not be taken for granted.

“Being involved with an LGBT business, we forget that the whole world isn’t LGBT or LGBT friendly,” Molnar-Strejcek said.

“Many people left the church leading up to the vote, assuming the majority would vote yes,” he explained. “A few current members said they would leave if the church didn’t [split].”

He added that his partner and others worked behind the scenes throughout the conflict educating members about the church so that they could make an informed decision based on information on both sides of the debate.

“Throughout this entire process, we were able to find a group within the church who were willing to stand up and insist that they were not going to let this happen,” Molnar-Strejcek said.

Despite its most recent differences, Molnar-Strejcek said the church does not have a long history of conflict over gay-related issues.

He added that he and his partner are active members of the church, and during their membership have adopted two children with the backing and support of many of the church’s members.

Although the final vote reflects an obvious divide among members of the church, Molnar-Strejcek said he was actually surprised by the results based on feedback from the church’s members.

“From the beginning, I was led to believe that the majority wanted to leave the ELCA, that at least 80 percent would vote ‘yes,’” Molnar Strejcek said. “Knowing that many members of the church weren’t afraid to make this a gay issue was very encouraging.”

Despite the divide reflected by the Good Shepherd Lutheran’s vote, Molnar-Strejcek said he believes its decision to remain affiliated with the ELCA sends a clear message to the LGBT community that the Lutheran church welcomes all people.

He added that it sends a message to the Christian community that support for “non-traditional” or “unconventional” Christians is more widespread than many congregations would like to admit.

He also pointed out that even people who weren’t sure how they were going to vote congratulated him and his partner on their efforts to bridge the gap and educate members of the church about seemingly divisive issues.

 “I’ve had people tell me, ‘I talked to my kids about gay people over this,’ and ‘I don’t know how I’ll vote, but I’ll shake your hand anyway,’” Molnar Strejcek said.

“I think the church’s final decision set new standards and identified that a congregation can make an informed decision and come together again.”