wfn.org | Iowa Pastor Removed From ELCA Roster

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 13, 1998

IOWA PASTOR REMOVED FROM ELCA ROSTER
98-06-030-AH

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A Discipline Hearing Committee of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ruled Feb. 3 to remove the Rev. Steven P.
Sabin, Ames, Iowa, from the church's clergy roster, effective April 15.
Sabin, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ames, is gay and lives
with a partner.
     The committee's "determination" indicated that, within ELCA
guidelines for clergy, Sabin "must be considered a practicing homosexual"
and is "precluded from the ordained ministry of this church."  Sabin's case
received national attention when the hearing was held Feb 1-3 in Des
Moines.
     The committee "acknowledges and admires the gifts for ministry that
Pastor Sabin has brought to Lord of Life congregation," according to the
determination.  The action says the committee "does not find that the
applicable Definitions and Guidelines permit Pastor Sabin's gifts of
ministry either to outweigh or excuse the violation" of the section that
precludes "practicing homosexuals from the ordained ministry" of the ELCA.
     The Rev. Philip L. Hougen, bishop of the ELCA's Southeastern Iowa
Synod, which includes Ames, wrote in a letter to pastors, "I continue to
have pastoral concern for Steve and his partner and family, Lord of Life
Lutheran church and for all those involved in this matter and I know that
all concerned will appreciate your prayers."
     Hougen said he will meet the week of Feb. 15 with Sabin and leaders
of Lord of Life Lutheran Church to discuss the congregation's future.
     In his letter to pastors Hougen said, "I continue to pray for God's
guidance and for continuing dialog on the issue of homosexuality within the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America."

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html