Memorials Committee Tries to Avoid Trainwreck

[Brian Stoffregen]

So much for discipline.

Well, that's the discipline a bishop can give.

[ptmccain]

It's the "Comfy Chair" option, to be sure.

[scott3]

So much for discipline.

Well, that's the discipline a bishop can give.

The "Comfy Chair" was prior to the one that massaged you.  Catch up with the times, will you?

[Brian Stoffregen]

The discipline of "private admonition and censure" of public and open sodomites is akin go the Comfy Chair used capably by the Monty Python Spanish Inquisitors.

The cases I know of, the pastors in a same-sex relationship were not all that public. Few outside of their conference knew of their relationship. All of the most public clergy I know of, are not on the ELCA roster and thus they are not subject to discipline by our bishops. In a case I know of, a local newspaper did an article on a homosexual clergy (who was in a relationship). That pastor told me that soon afterwards, there was phone call from the bishop, which I presume involved further private admonition and censure.

In contrast, no one keeps Jeff Johnson quiet.

[ptmccain]

So, they are not pastors in the ELCA, but they serve as pastors in ELCA congregations. Do those congregations get the "Comfy Chair" treatment too?

[Brian Stoffregen]

So, they are not pastors in the ELCA, but they serve as pastors in ELCA congregations. Do those congregations get the "Comfy Chair" treatment too?

The bishop can give congregations censure and admonition -- and it doesn't have to be private. In addition the bishop can file charges against a congregation, which then takes it to a discipline hearing committee. In the specific case of a congregation calling a non-rostered and non-authorized person as pastor, the bishop can bring a recommendation to the synod council to remove the congregation. I don't know of any case where this has happened. Three congregations within a synod can bring charges against another congregation. I don't know of any case where this has happened.