ROY -- For a few moments, a meeting at Our Savior's Lutheran Church erupted into arguments about whether the Bible makes allowances for modern science or for gay relationships.
But the Thursday night meeting ended with the Rev. William Sullivan telling the most vocal woman in the crowd that he respected her opposing views and her passion about them. The two then shook hands.
Sullivan was there to outline a future for the church if it changes from its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America to Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
Sullivan, the LCMC service coordinator, said he believed the controversy actually would serve a good purpose in the long run.
"What happened in the last couple of minutes is we were all digging into the Scriptures," Sullivan said.
"I think that's the best thing that's happened."
Sullivan said he believed God was creating a revival among Lutherans and that "these are the best of times."
A split is occurring among some ELCA churches as a result of an Aug. 21 vote by national church representatives to allow gay and lesbian pastors to preside over their churches if they are in committed relationships.
Previously, gay ELCA pastors had to practice celibacy.
Some members of Our Savior's are interested in switching from the ELCA to LCMC.
Such a decision would likely take several months for the members to make.
In an interview, Our Savior's pastor Chuck Sabin said church members will have to lean on the scriptural teachings to get through this difficulty.
"After all is said and done, we still need to love each other," he said.
"We have to find a way to get through, no matter what."
Sullivan said it is important for church members to love all sinners.
He included himself and all people, as well as gay members, in that list of sinners.
"I'm not going to tell you that your sin is good for you," he said, explaining how the LCMC responds to issues, including homosexuality.
"We believe the Scriptures teach a clear social statement."
He said the LCMC would not make provisions for gay pastors to lead churches.
At the heart of the issue is a requirement for churches to receive a two-thirds majority vote to leave the ELCA.
Sullivan said some churches have opted for a joint membership in the ELCA and the LCMC, partly because of the difficulty in achieving this requirement.
The LCMC requires only a majority vote to join or be removed.
He said the ELCA constitution does not address joint membership.
Some have interpreted that to mean that joint membership is allowed, while others believe it is not.
He believes that in the worst-case scenario, the ELCA could punish joint-member churches by taking away rights to have voting delegates, removing opportunities to serve on synod committees and possibly banishing them from the ELCA.
Pastor Jeff Nellermoe, of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sandy, said his church has experienced overall positive changes, even growth, since changing to LCMC.
Sullivan said the major focus of the LCMC is to limit organizational and structural costs of all types.
"Do you think it's coincidence that when the church was most effective it had the least structure?" he said, speaking of the Lutheran church in general.
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