HERE WE GO AGAIN ...

... and I don't think this lower form of apostasy will ever stop!

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has approved development of a new, more gender-neutral hymnal ... [as] an update of the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, which will eliminate the "Father" terminology and male pronouns [referring to] God.

I don't want to denigrate anyone's faith family but I clearly remember when the Methodist's did this in the '80s. One thing I remember thinking was - if you don't like the author's personal views, then do him or her a favor, don't make use of their contribution to hymnology.

In choosing new songs, the church is making a particular effort to span different cultures and worship styles. For example, along with some traditional hymns of European origin, proposed additions include songs with African and Asian roots. And many songs in the new hymnal were specifically chosen for their adaptability to varied musical settings, from churches with a choir and an organist to those with a contemporary praise and worship band. [...]

Rev. Michael Burk, worship director for the denomination, says some Lutherans are anxious to see the traditional biblical references to God as male preserved in the hymnal, while other church members insist the denomination's worship songs should be free from gender language that many consider noninclusive.

This is multicultural-globalism run amok! Were the hymns of other language groups expunged of their offensive cultural distinctives ... or was it just those of white-European-males? Sheeeessshhh!

Burk says compilers of the new hymnal are making every effort to "strike a balance" between those conflicting views. "We are a global church," he adds, "and our worship ought to reflect that."

Why? The local church is an American church and you ought to reflect that. Now if we were still singing with a British or Cockney accent, that'd be different! According to some sources, not everyone is happy ...

Some delegates said the church had been too distracted with sexuality issues to give full attention to the worship book. Others protested a "totalitarian" process in eliminating male imagery for God from worship.

Larry Kallem of Iowa reportedly said the changes "will be like a poke in the eye with a sharp stick" to many in the churches.

The new hymnal is not mandated in the local church, but it's likely it will gradually be adopted by most of the ELCA's approximately 10,600 congregations ... .

Of course it really is none of my business ... I should just but out! It's the fault of my white-European-male ancestry, full of aggression a mommy complexes or syndromes, or whatever!