Verdict reached in Schmeling case!

The decision is complicated, and I will write more when I have time. There are TV stations interviewing Pastor Schmeling right now in the sanctuary! Full information is available at www.StJohnsAtlanta.org, but below is the summary I wrote for Goodsoil:

Friends of Goodsoil,

I wanted you to know right away the latest developments in the trial of Pastor Bradley Schmeling.

Today (Feb. 8, 2007), the Disciplinary Hearing Committee (DHC, the "jury" in this case) has published its response to the charges filed by Bp. Ron Warren of the ELCA Southeastern Synod. The a summary and full text of the DHC decision are available. In brief the DHC report states the following:

• The DHC is nearly unanimous in its concern that D&G and V&E "are at least bad policy, and may very well violate the constitution and bylaws of this church." The DHC feels, however, that the Committee on Appeals must decide whether D&G and V&E are constitutional, and has laid out the argument against their constitutionality.
  
  
• The DHC has explicitly asked synod assemblies to memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to direct the Committee on Appeals to revise D&G and remove the provision precluding "practicing homosexuals" from the ordained ministry and to direct the appropriate churchwide unit [ie, Vocation and Education] to revise V&E and remove the provision specifying homosexual sexual relationships.
  
  
• If the Committee on Appeals finds D&G's provision on practicing homosexual persons to be unconstitutional, then the DHC would near-unanimously find that Pr Schmeling is not engaged in conduct incompatible with the ministerial office, and would find with near unanimity that no discipline of any sort should be imposed against him.
  
  
• Seven of the twelve DHC members felt, however, that they are compelled by the language of D&G to determine that Pr Schmeling is "precluded from the ordained ministry of this church."
  
  
• The DHC has decided not to remove Pr Schmeling before the Churchwide Assembly: his removal is effective August 15, 2007.
  
  
• Clearly the conversation of faith that was begun in this trial is not yet complete, and many voices will be heard in the days ahead.
  
  
• Please continue to hold in prayer Pr. Schmeling, the people of St. John's in Atlanta, the members of the Disciplinary Committee and all who are engaged in this continuing conversation.