# Clergy’s spouse belongs to/converts to a different denomination. Awkward?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clergy-s-spouse-belongs-to-converts-to-a-different-denomination-awkward/707229>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 14, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clergy-s-spouse-belongs-to-converts-to-a-different-denomination-awkward/707229 "2014-12-14T20:12:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clergy-s-spouse-belongs-to-converts-to-a-different-denomination-awkward/707229/21 "2014-12-16T19:25:29Z")

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> [@Shodan](#):
>
> FWIW my wife is a Lutheran pastor, at a church affiliated with a different Lutheran denomination than the one I attend. I am not a member at her church. Her brother is a Roman Catholic bishop. It is no big deal for any of us.
> 
> The only ones who appear to care are the ELCA, which is the synod of my church. As well they might; they are bleeding members.
> 
> Regards,  
> Shodan

I am curious. The synod of your church is the ELCA. Your wife is a Lutheran Pastor at a church affiliated with a different Lutheran denomination - the only other Lutheran denominations I’m aware of in the US are Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Synod, both of which prohibit female pastors. So I’m slightly confused.

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**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clergy-s-spouse-belongs-to-converts-to-a-different-denomination-awkward/707229/22 "2014-12-16T19:56:39Z")

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> [@ISiddiqui](#):
>
> I am curious. The synod of your church is the ELCA. Your wife is a Lutheran Pastor at a church affiliated with a different Lutheran denomination - the only other Lutheran denominations I’m aware of in the US are Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Synod, both of which prohibit female pastors. So I’m slightly confused.

[Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.](http://www.lcmc.net/)

Regards,  
Shodan

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**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clergy-s-spouse-belongs-to-converts-to-a-different-denomination-awkward/707229/23 "2014-12-16T20:05:36Z")

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I’ve known more than one clergyman who was pretty close to being agnostic, and believed their role in the church was to spiritually guide the faithful, rather than to intellectually guide the curious. I wouldn’t expect them to feel particularly put out if their wives were of a different persuasion than their parishioners.

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clergy-s-spouse-belongs-to-converts-to-a-different-denomination-awkward/707229/24 "2014-12-16T20:18:40Z")

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> [@Shodan](#):
>
> [Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.](http://www.lcmc.net/)
> 
> Regards,  
> Shodan

AHHH… I had forgotten about LCMC and NALC. I guess it makes sense as to why the ELCA cares - the LCMC (as well as the NALC) arose due to the ELCA voting to allow homosexual pastors who were in committed monogamous relationships. LCMC and NALC being former ELCA congregations that left due to that ruling.

Thanks for the clarification!

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