Lutheran Pastor and Partner Reinstated

St. John’s Lutheran church in Atlanta has reinstated its pastor, Bradley Schmeling, who was removed in 2007 after telling the congregation he was gay. The reinstatement results from a recent move by the Evangelical Church in America to abolish its antigay policies.

According to WXIA-TV in Atlanta, although the ELCA removed Schemling, his supportive congregation at the Midtown Atlanta church voted to keep him as a pastor without portfolio for three years. The ELCA also removed his partner Darin Easler, who is a Lutheran pastor.

Now, thanks to the vote by the ELCA to abolish its antigay policies, both Schmeling and Easler have been reinstated.

Watch the video below.