Majority in the National Church Council vote for liturgy

[Garland-Green]

(Norway) Saturday morning the Church Council started the first plenary consideration and discussion in the matter of same sex marriage. The majority want a new wedding liturgy# for gays.

Saturday 9 April 2016, kl.09: 56

8:30 am Saturday morning the Synod* embarked on a vote of the matter of same sex marriage, a situation that has received much attention in advance of the meeting and during the church elections last fall.

The proposal to provide two liturgies and that the Church should have a gender-neutral+ view of marriage has the majority votes. 15 of 23 members request that the General Synod* approves the preparation of the liturgy for consecration of the same sex:

- A majority of the Synod* believes that in addition to the current liturgy of marriage and prayer of intercession for civil marriages between man and woman, similar liturgies that include same-sex couples and that can be applied to all couples should be developed, it reads in the case papers.

A minority of 8 members suggest, however, that there should be a broader investigation into the case. The minority wants a particular focus on the consequences of same-gender marriage for the situation of children and rights, and for the church's holistic theology of the family

Monday the Synod will decide whether gays should get its own liturgy and could be wed in the church. If Synod decides to go in for a new wedding liturgy, this could be adopted at the next meeting, which is in January 2017.

(NTB)

Source

The Church of Norway (Den norske kirke in Bokmål or Den norske kyrkja in Nynorsk) is the state church and the largest church in Norway.

The church was established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark–Norway in 1536–1537 broke ties with the Holy See. The church professes the Lutheran Christian faith, with its foundation on the Bible, the Apostles', Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, Luther's Small Catechism and the Augsburg Confession. The church is a member of the Porvoo Communion with 12 other churches, among them the Anglican churches of Europe. It has also signed some other ecumenical texts, including the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church.

Until 1969, the church's name for administrative purposes was simply the "State Church" or sometimes just "the Church", whereas the constitution described it as the "Evangelical-Lutheran Church". A constitutional amendment of May 21, 2012 designates the church as "Norway's people's church" (Norges Folkekirke), with a new provision that is almost a verbatim copy of the provision for the Danish state church (folkekirken) in the Constitution of Denmark. While the church remains state-funded and integrated in the state administration with a special constitutional role, it is largely self-governing in doctrinal matters and clergy appointments. - Wikipedia

# Liturgy (Greek: λειτουργία) is the customary public worship performed by a specific religious group, according to its particular beliefs, customs and traditions.

* A synod /ˈsɪnəd/ historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not. It is also sometimes used to refer to a church that is governed by a synod. - Wikipedia


Comment: The state church in Norway is made up of the people of Norway. Whether you are saved or unsaved you can still be a member. It is populistic in that it decides doctrine and practice based on societal changes because of this it has lost its position as something set apart by God, something different than the world. + A church that ascribes the same importance and value to two completely different and incompatible views such as the Norwegian Church has done in the matter of same sex marriage can't be a lasting church (Mark 3:24).  

[Garland-Green]

Gays and lesbians welcome before the altar
LIV BERIT TESSEM
NTB
UPDATED: 11.APR. 2016 6:34 P.M. PUBLISHED: 11.APR. 2016 5:08 P.M.

It was a complete victory for The Open People's Church cause; homosexuals the right to marry in the Norwegian Church when the General Synod voted on the matter Monday. Open People's church deputy, Kristin Gunnleiksrud Raaum and Head Gardener Sandakerveien Nielsen were joined by nearly 86 delegates to vote for the historic decision.


Synod wishes with a large majority of votes, gays and lesbians welcome to get married in the new National Church.


Synod in Trondheim decided Monday that gays and lesbians can marry in church.

88 of 115 Synod delegates made an end to a quarter century strife within the Norwegian Church on the issue of same sex marriage.

Priests and church employees may refuse to preform the wedding ceremony of gays if it goes against their conscience.

The new liturgy will be in addition to current marriage liturgy that apply to heterosexual couples. This liturgy will be adopted at the General Synod next year.


A day of Joy

- This is a happy day, says Ingvild Endestad, newly elected leader of FRI (Association for gender and sexual diversity, former LLH, the National Association for lesbians and gays).

- It's a historic day, it is love that has overcome, it is a fight many have been fighting for years. This year The Open People's Church as a group celebrates 40 years of actively working for giving gays and lesbians the right to be married in the Church. The decision reflects the clear and unambiguous Church Election in the autumn, where The Open People's church got great support in the majority of the diocesan council, said Endestad.

She said the union initially wanted a joint marriage liturgy, but is satisfied that the old is retained and the creation of a new and modern liturgy.

- I'm sure it will be popular with many couples in the future, she says.

While rainbow flag of the gays came out on top today many Bible-believing and tradition-bound Christians welcomed the news of the Synod resolutions with despair.

Superficial treatment
Øvind Benestand was one of the 31 delegates at the General Synod voted against the proposal.

He represents The Diocese council in Agder and Telemark and directs the union Morfarbarn (Motherfatherchild) who have working to secure "Christian family values."

- It is a sad but expected decision and I'm disappointed how superficial matter has been treated at the General Synod. It seems as if its only concern was a partnership between two people, but the whole family perspective, surrogacy and egg donation was absent in the debate. This is a dramatic change for the Norwegian Church and it will have serious consequences for religious education, Sunday School and confirmation instruction.

Benestad do not think the decision will lead to a rush of resignations at first, but many will fear that the Liberal majority in the General Synod may cause the church to change in the future.

- In the long term this decision have serious consequences, he says he will intensify education - and awareness efforts to preserve family values ​​in harmony with the Bible.

Twitter Cheers
But the decision led to loud cheers to welcome gays and lesbians before the altar of next year.

"Wonderful news from General Synod," tweeted Linda Hofstad Helleland, religion and belief minister. - "People's Church shows that it is generous and open, I am hoping the liturgy is in place in 2017".


The Equality and Anti-Discrimination delegate Hanne Bjurstrøm congratulated the Church with a wise decision, which means a lot to many people. One of her colleagues, Ole-Fredrik Einarsen, was head of The Open People's church group in the 80's.

- I almost started to cry. A forty year struggle is crowned with victory, he said.

- Today's decision would have been unthinkable at the time. When the fight was all about being accepted as a Christian and gay. Up until 1972 it was criminal to love someone of the same sex. It makes today an historic victory.

The bishops gathered
The different visions was over the weekend gathered in a joint compromise proposal that the bishops' leader, president Helga Haugland Byfuglien clarified that all the bishops gathered behind.

- In the episcopal meeting there are differering views, but we stand united behind the proposed resolution. We do not want this matter to be held up in in a matter of procedure and be postponed, said Byfuglien when she presented the proposal.

Women leaders
53 percent of the delegates at the General Synod are women. It was reflected in the elections of new leaders. Deputy Chair in The Open People's church, Kristin Gunleiksrud Raaum from Oslo diocesan council, was elected as new chairman until 2020 by a large majority.


Sara Kristine Eira (36) from Kautokeino new head of Sami Church.

The Synod chose two more women in senior positions with Kristine Sandmæl (46) from Asker as the new chairman of the Mellomkirkelig råd (Untranslatable) and Sara Kristine Eira (36) from Kautokeino new head of Sami Church.

In addition, Helga Haugland Byfuglien was previously preses (Norwegian title of a chosen leader of the synod in the Norwegian Church) of the Norwegian Church.

The newly elected church council leader said the following about that all the four most important leading positions in the church now held by women.

No big deal
- I think that's quite natural. Church bodies have previously been directed by a majority of men, or exclusively men. Now there are four women. That's how it is. No big deal, I think. It only makes sense, says Raaum said.

Raaum insists she's elected with basis in The Open People's Church program making her obligated also to represent those that disagree, the minority view. She pleaded to be believed that the minority is protected.

Oslo Bishop Ole Kristian Kvarme backed the church council leader by emphasizing that it is precisely to create a permanent space for the minority that he along with the other bishops supported the decision.

From the secular newspaper Aftenposten. Original.

Sorry about the bad English. It was really hard to translate. If something is unclear, or doesn't make sense please ask. I will do my best to answer.

Before the vote on Monday, Øyvind Benestad member of Agder and Telemark bishop's counsel had the word. He is also the main spokesman of 'The Living people's Church' on the opposite side of 'The Open People's Church' in the church election last year.

Think of the two organisations as you would think of lobbyists. Lobbying for their particular view.

Benestad pointed out that 'The Living People's Church @' was admitted into the election with 30 of its recommended representatives while in the synod, while 'The Open People's Church #' had 45 candidates elected.

@ Against
# Pro

In Norway there is a democratic system of election in the church where members of the church are allowed to vote. 74.3% of Norwegians were members of the state Church of Norway as of the end of 2014. I think the election and the outcome of the synod reflects the general societal changes in attitude towards same sex relationships and marriage more so than a desire to stay true to the word of God.Seven out of ten Norwegians never open the Bible a survey found in 2014 (Source).

In-guild discussion; Tolerance, and acceptance of the LGBTQA community  

[Garland-Green]

The Synod in The Norwegian Church: We are of course especially disappointed with the six bishops - half of the bishops - who stood for the classical, Christian view of marriage being between a man and woman. The six in spite of their conviction voted for a liturgy for same sex marriage. The six were, Stein Reinertsen, Halvor Nordhaug, Ingeborg Midttømme, Per Arne Dahl, Ole Christian Kvarme and Olav Øygard, The newspaper 'Dagen' writes.  

[Garland-Green]

Doctrinal Discipline against a liturgy decision

Written by Odd Sverre Hove, priest, Frekhaug
Wednesday 20 April 2016

Translated from 'Dagen' debate forum using google translate and then re-worded and re-written to best convey the original meaning of the author since google translate is not entirely accurate. Some words translate poorly from Norwegian to English.

We must break pulpit fellowship with all the qualified Heretics who either stand behind the decision itself or who are concretely making use of it in the churches.

The Bible requires all believers to practice doctrinal discipline against both qualified heresy and qualified heretics.

After the synod 's decision to introduce a qualified heretical marriage liturgy in the Norwegian Church , we have to study the biblical texts carefully. Because doctrinal discipline against a liturgy decision obviously also means discipline against both those who promoted the liturgy decision, against those who have adopted it and to those who taking it in use.

Biblical texts concerning discipline are quite a few. They contain fairly specific action-imposition, criteria on when and how, and motivation for discipline.

Here is an overview of NT concrete action-decree for us in terms of the discipline:

• We must "guard" ourselves against the false prophets and "know them by their fruits," Jesus said in the Sermon (Matt 5: 15ff). We must "flee from strange shepherds" by "knowing their voice" (= teaching content), it is stated in Jesus' parable of the shepherd (John 10: 1FF). We must "guard the church of God" against heretical predatory wolves, Paul says in his farewell speech in Miletus (Acts 20: 26ff).

• In Romans 4:17 we are told to "keep an eye on" Heretics and "turn away from them." We are "not tolerate" heretics with "another gospel" (2Kor11: 3). Such heretics should we be regarded as "accursed" (Gal 1: 6ff). We must "see to it that no one trap us" with heresy (Col. 2: 4 H). And we must "not have fellowship" (= church relations) with qualified heretics (2Tess 3: 14f).

• In his letters to Timothy and Titus we are told to as a part of doctrinal discipline regulations to "admonish" Heretics, "send away" Heretics and "turn away from" Heretics (1 Timothy 1: 3, 4: 7, 6 : 20). Specifically, we are to "exhort them once and twice" and then "send them away them from us" (Tit 3:10).

• And in John's letters it is imposed upon us to "test the spirits" (1 John 4: 1), "be on the guard" of Heretics and "not accept them in our houses" (= worship-locals) or "welcome them" (= as speakers and teachers) (2Joh 7ff).

To summarize: The call on us for action revolves around admonishing, discipline and about being vigilant and watchful, about doctrinal instruction and correction and when we should be breaking fellowship.

The question is how to fulfill these commands when the qualified heresy now is being forced over our heads like a persistent ecclesiastical liturgy.

For comparison: In the Middle Ages, a qualified heretical worship-liturgy developed stating that the sacrament of the communion was a perpetual sacrifice for us and a good deed. The priest sacrificed supposedly Christ's body and blood on the altar in a bloodless sacrifice, contrary to the words of institution. The mass-sacrifice doctrine permeated all communion liturgy.

With the Reformation Luther started practicing discipline against this liturgy when first, he tried to reinterpret it, but after a short time in that he completely stopped reading daily Masses as Catholic priests would. Instead he designed alternative liturgies that were more faithful to Scripture. And all the while he wrote and he spoke again and again vigorously opposing the mass-sacrifice doctrine.

In Christianity we have a history of disciplining ecclesiastical liturgies. Now we have to do it again. And then we must once again practicing the three types of regulation that we observed in the doctrinal instruction texts.

(1) We must still be corrected the eligible heresy doctrinally from the Bible.

(2) We must break pulpit community with all the qualified Heretics who either stand behind the decision itself or make concrete use of it in the churches.

And (3) we must break church relations by being absent from all the places where the heretics are acting as if they are the right and true stewards of God's holy salvational gifts.

Source