Lutheran split could hurt social service
July 20, 2011 7:28PM
Updated: October 27, 2011 12:32AM
One of the largest social service networks in the U.S. faces a shakeup over the Bible and homosexuality.
The theologically conservative Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod says it has become “difficult if not impossible” to continue to work with the more liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, based in Chicago.
Last year, the latter abolished barriers to ordaining gays and lesbians.
The two Lutheran denominations run social service programs ranging from adoption to disaster relief.
Neither denomination would discuss the financial effect Wednesday, but just one of their joint agencies, Lutheran Services in America, has an annual budget of more than $16 billion.
AP
