By Gary Barlow

Staff writer

A Lakeview Lutheran congregation plans to challenge denomination policy by ordaining an openly lesbian minister who refuses to pledge celibacy Nov. 17.

Resurrection Lutheran Church is the first Lutheran congregation to ordain an openly gay or lesbian minister since the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America debated its policy banning non-celibate gays and lesbians from the ministry at its biennial assembly in Chicago in August.

While the ELCA decided to retain the policy, it passed a resolution urging bishops to “refrain or show restraint” in disciplining GLBT ministers and their congregations.

Resurrection is ordaining Jen Rude, who completed her master of divinity in 2005 and has been interning at the church for two years. Rude’s candidacy for the ministry had been put on hold by an ELCA committee because of her refusal to agree to the celibacy policy. Resurrection is circumventing that process by holding an “Extraordinary Ordination” for Rude under the auspices of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, an organization that credentials and supports GLBT Lutheran ministers and their congregations.

The recently elected bishop of the ELCA’s Metropolitan Chicago Synod, the Rev. Wayne Miller, met with members of Resurrection to discuss the potential ramifications of their vote to call Rude to the ministry. Miller said Nov. 7 that he doesn’t plan to discipline Rude or the church.

Rude is to become associate pastor at Resurrection.

“Jen’s ministry with us for the past two years has been a Godsend, and in our congregation’s experience, she has more than proven herself worthy of ordination to the ministry of word and sacrament,” said Resurrection’s pastor, the Rev. Brian Hiortdahl.

In a statement, Rude expressed her gratitude to Resurrection.

“I am honored and humbled to be called to Resurrection Lutheran Church,” she said. “I am inspired by this congregation’s history of responding to the emergent needs of the community and their commitment to justice, generosity and faith.”

Resurrection Lutheran Church, 3309 N. Seminary Ave., ordains Jen Rude Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. The following day, Nov. 18, she is installed as associate pastor during the church’s 10 a.m. worship service. The services are open to the public.