Updated at: 11/20/2009 9:21 AM | KSAX.com
By: Anthony Kiekow
Print Story  Email to a Friend

Local Lutheran Church Reacts to Split Over Gay and Lesbian Clergy in Relationships 

ALEXANDRIA, MINN. - In August, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American (ELCA) voted to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy. As a result a faction of the church has split to form its own denomination.

"There's an element of people in the church that just can't deal with the decision to let them lead congregations and so they have left the church to start their own congregations," said Pastor Dale Olson of Calvary Lutheran in Alexandria.

Even members of Calvary have left in protest. "It's tearing a lot of churches apart. I know of people who have already left this church even though it's not going to change anything here," said Calvary Lutheran Church member Ken Pexsa.

According to Olson the real issue is not sexual orientation, it's celibacy.

"The real question is whether or not gays and lesbians who are sexually active, but not married can be a pastor," said Olson.

Either way Olson says this is just another instance of the church making a radical shift in ideology.

"Dating all the way back to Peter and Paul the church has had disagreements that have led to radical shifts and this just may be another one" said Olson.

Written for the Web by Anthony Kiekow

akiekow@ksax.com