Lutherans lift barrier on gay clergy - By Duke Helfand - August 21, 2009 – Los Angeles Times

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the second major Christian group in a month to liberalize policies on the ministry.

The nation's largest Lutheran denomination Friday reversed a long-standing ban on the appointment of non-celibate gays to the clergy, becoming the second major Christian group in a month to liberalize policies governing who may minister the faith.

Leaders of the 4.6-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in Minneapolis, gave local congregations the authority to choose ministers or lay leaders who may be in "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

The decision follows a similar action last month by officers of the Episcopal Church, who lifted a de facto ban on the consecration of partnered gay bishops. Read complete article - Los Angeles Times