By a margin of almost 2-to-1, members of Fargo's Pontoppidan Lutheran Church expressed their desire to remain in the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The "non-binding survey" at the April 25 tri-annual church meeting was not an official vote on disassociating from the ELCA but one in which members were asked to express their position on whether the church should remain with the denomination or actively seek a different affiliation.
The results show 118 in favor and 62 against staying put, the church's newsletter states.
After the results were announced, a resolution was passed "to suspend all future studies, discussions, speakers or any other actions concerning leaving the ELCA for 18 months," the newsletter says.
Some congregations have struggled with the ELCA's decision in August to allow individuals in committed, same-gender relationships to serve in the clergy. The ELCA also approved a controversial statement on human sexuality.
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At its September 2009 tri-annual meeting, congregants at Pontoppidan voted to create a committee to "study the impact of the ELCA's recent decisions and the effect on Pontoppidan," according to a church newsletter. Members also voted to suspend the congregation's mission support to the denomination while studying the issue but later renewed its giving.
