Changes

The ELCA clergy are well educated, reflecting the Lutheran  

The ELCA clergy are well educated, reflecting the Lutheran  

tradition's emphasis on biblical and theological studies. All clergy must have a graduate degree, usually a master of divinity  

tradition's emphasis on biblical and theological studies. All clergy must have a graduate degree, usually a master of divinity  

(M.Div.) or its equivalent. Two thirds have attended a Lutheran seminary, most commonly Luther Seminary. About 30% have completed postgraduate work  for a D.Min., Th.D., or Ph.D., sometimes at secular universities.  The average pastor is 51 years old and has been a minister for twenty years. 19% are women. <ref> Hofrenning et al (2004)</ref>

(M.Div.) or its equivalent. Two thirds have attended a Lutheran seminary, most commonly Luther Seminary. About 30% have completed postgraduate work  for a D.Min., Th.D., or Ph.D., sometimes at secular universities.  The average pastor is 51 years old and has been a minister for twenty years. 19% are women.<ref>Hofrenning et al (2004)</ref>

In terms of theological positions, the clergy are in the Lutheran tradition of emphasizing sin. They do not believe that the Bible is inerrant, yet they accept that Jesus was born of a virgin and that the devil actually exists. They reject the notion that most religions are equally valid, yet fear the intolerant behavior of some people of faith. Theologically, they can be termed moderate modernists.<ref> Hofrenning et al (2004)</ref>  

In terms of theological positions, the clergy are in the Lutheran tradition of emphasizing sin. They do not believe that the Bible is inerrant, yet they accept that Jesus was born of a virgin and that the devil actually exists. They reject the notion that most religions are equally valid, yet fear the intolerant behavior of some people of faith. Theologically, they can be termed moderate modernists.<ref>Hofrenning et al (2004)</ref>  

In terms of politics, the clergy are liberal Democrats. Although they supported Al Gore over George Bush by 67%-26% in 2000, with 5% for Ralph Nader, 80% avoid political sermons or taking public stands on political issues.<ref> Hofrenning et al (2004)</ref>

In terms of politics, the clergy are liberal Democrats. Although they supported Al Gore over George Bush by 67%-26% in 2000, with 5% for Ralph Nader, 80% avoid political sermons or taking public stands on political issues.<ref>Hofrenning et al (2004)</ref>

==Controversies==

==Controversies==

Though aware that some same-sex couples receive blessings from pastors and that some openly gay or lesbian pastors are ordained, delegates to the biennial assembly of the ELCA in 2005 declined to authorize either practice, even on a provisional basis.  The vote to allow gay and lesbian pastors fell far short of the two-thirds majority required for a policy change--490 yes votes to 503 no votes.<ref> John Dart, "ELCA Says No to Gay Pastors, Blessings." [http://www.questia.com/read/5011048993?title=ELCA%20Says%20No%20to%20Gay%20Pastors%2c%20Blessings ''The Christian Century'' September 6, 2005 online]</ref> In 2007 the Churchwide Assembly voted not to overturn the denomination's rules that bar the ordination of noncelibate homosexual clergy.  

Though aware that some same-sex couples receive blessings from pastors and that some openly gay or lesbian pastors are ordained, delegates to the biennial assembly of the ELCA in 2005 declined to authorize either practice, even on a provisional basis.  The vote to allow gay and lesbian pastors fell far short of the two-thirds majority required for a policy change—490 yes votes to 503 no votes.<ref>John Dart, "ELCA Says No to Gay Pastors, Blessings." [http://www.questia.com/read/5011048993?title=ELCA%20Says%20No%20to%20Gay%20Pastors%2c%20Blessings ''The Christian Century'' September 6, 2005 online]</ref> In 2007 the Churchwide Assembly voted not to overturn the denomination's rules that bar the ordination of noncelibate homosexual clergy.  

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*  Cimino, Richard P. ''Lutherans today: American Lutheran identity in the twenty-first century‎'' (2003) 248 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=C7Mbcm7oAlMC&pg=PA102&dq=elca&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]  

*  Cimino, Richard P. ''Lutherans today: American Lutheran identity in the twenty-first century‎'' (2003) 248 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=C7Mbcm7oAlMC&pg=PA102&dq=elca&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]  

*Hofrenning, Daniel, Janelle Sagness, and L. DeAne Lagerquist. "Evangelical Lutheran Church of America" in ''Pulpit and Politics: Clergy in American Politics at the Advent of the Millennium'' ed. by Corwin E. Smidt. (2004) pp 43-58. [http://www.questia.com/read/103177187?title=Pulpit%20and%20Politics%3a%20Clergy%20in%20American%20Politics%20at%20the%20Advent%20of%20the%20Millennium online edition]

*Hofrenning, Daniel, Janelle Sagness, and L. DeAne Lagerquist. "Evangelical Lutheran Church of America" in ''Pulpit and Politics: Clergy in American Politics at the Advent of the Millennium'' ed. by Corwin E. Smidt. (2004) pp 43–58. [http://www.questia.com/read/103177187?title=Pulpit%20and%20Politics%3a%20Clergy%20in%20American%20Politics%20at%20the%20Advent%20of%20the%20Millennium online edition]

* Kleingartner, Connie Marie. "Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future: A Qualitative View of First-Wave Women Clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." PhD U. of St. Thomas, St. Paul 1999. 180 pp. DAI 2001 61(7): 2765-2766-A. DA9980866

* Kleingartner, Connie Marie. "Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future: A Qualitative View of First-Wave Women Clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." PhD U. of St. Thomas, St. Paul 1999. 180 pp. DAI 2001 61(7): 2765-2766-A. DA9980866

*  Trexler, Edgar R. ''Anatomy of a merger: people, dynamics, and decisions that shaped the ELCA‎'' (1992) 286 pages

*  Trexler, Edgar R. ''Anatomy of a merger: people, dynamics, and decisions that shaped the ELCA‎'' (1992) 286 pages

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