This year Western Christians and Eastern Orthodox celebrated Easter on the same date. This is unusual. It will happen in 2011, 2014, and 2017. Huge ecumenical efforts are being made to produce a common date for Easter so that Christians can have a common witness. (Read more here.) Which date should it be? Is it […]
GLBT: Not born-that-way, not unchangeable
An news release from the American College of Pediatricians cautions educators about dealing with students experiencing same-sex attraction and/or gender confusion. This message has been sent of College president Thomas Benton, MD, to all 14,800 school district superintendents in the U.S. Among the main points the pediatricians make: 1. It’s not uncommon for teenagers to […]
Nigeria Update
Why the outbreak of violence in Northern Nigeria? A Nigerian Anglican archbishop says it is the result of Muslims becoming Christians, resulting in the formation of 49 new dioceses. The Rt Rev. Edmund Akanya says outreach to Muslims, animists, and pagans with the gospel is “second nature” to Nigerian Anglicans and that Anglicans “face this […]
Mark Hanson: The Bible is a mirror of yourself
“The decision at the August 2009 Churchwide Assembly split our congregation. What help can you suggest for us?” An ELCA member asked this question of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson at the Town Hall Forum, March 7, 2010. He answered: “I begin from the premise not that some in this church are being faithful to the […]
African Lutherans don’t buy “bound conscience”
Member churches of the LWF in Africa reject the ELCA’s approval of same-sex marriage and families. Meeting in March 24-28 in Abuja, Nigeria, African Lutherans affirmed marriage as the union of one man and one woman as normative (rejecting polygamy and same-sex unions) and mom-dad families as best for children. The Rev. Alex G. Malasusa, […]