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The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Reaffirms rejection to same sex marriage
EECMY:-The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) has continued solidifying her refusal to the same sex marriage decision by the Church of Sweden (COS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the controversial decision which is feared to create a splitting spirit among the member Churches of the Lutheran communion.
In his opening remark at the 16th meeting of the Executive Board of the EECMY, which was held on April 7-10, 2010 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa EECMY President reaffirmed the position of the EECMY which was taken at her 3rd Council meeting in July 2006 that declared the acceptance of the same sex marriage by COS which was followed by ELCA in August 2009 'is a clear disobedience to the Holy Scripture and the God ordained marriage".
The President further stated that the decisions passed by COS and ELCA has a serious adverse effect on the unity of Lutheran communion. He went on and said that the EECMY is deeply saddened by the decision that these churches have made in connection with same sex, which is against the inspired word of God. The position of the Council which is against the decision of same sex marriage was expressed in the following statements.
"EECMY believes that God clearly defined that proper sexual relationship is only that is practiced between a man and his wife (woman) who become one flesh, Genesis 2:24."
"The EECMY affirms that homosexual or same sex marriage does not have convincing ground neither in the Old nor in the New Testaments. It is a disastrous sin that was a cause for the wiping out of the tribe of Benjamin from its land, Judges: 19 i.e. incidence in Gibeah."
"The decision of same sex marriage is against God's order given to man and woman to produce offspring through proper holy marriage, Genesis: 1:28; 9.7. Thus, only a male - female sexual relationship can produce and create the type of family that God envisages with the father, mother and children. All other forms of sexual relationships are abnormal, unnatural and sin."
On the same occasion, the President said that the Africa Lutheran Churches during the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Pre-Assembly meeting held in Abuja Nigeria from 24-28 March 2010 has also reaffirmed the earlier position of Africa Lutheran Churches, taken in Lund, Sweden which is to reject same sex marriage indicating that it is the act of sin. The summary content of the LWF Africa Lutheran Churches pre-assembly meeting position taken in Abuja is stated as follows.
"We strongly affirm our decision taken in Lund, Sweden in 2007 that ' marriage is holy ordained by God and is a relationship between a man and a women.' Therefore, the majority of African member churches says "NO" to homosexual and regards it sinful."
"Further to this affirmation of our position on this matter, we are extremely disturbed and deeply regret of the recent development taking place in some member churches of the Communion who have taken unilateral decision on same sex marriages, disregarding the strong sentiments expressed by other members of the communion. This unilateral action has negatively impacted our life together as a communion, something which could have been avoided."
"We pray for the spirit of discernment and for the grace of God to abound as we seek to resolve these issues."
At the conclusion of his opening remark the president said that by the directives of the Council of the EECMY the issue of same sex marriage is under serious study, in order to explore the next action that the church shall take with regard to the relationship between her and the member churches of the Lutheran communion that have already legalized 'the same sex marriage. The progress of the study will be discussed at the forthcoming sixth meeting of the Council, the President added.
EECMY Public Relations Office Addis Ababa. April 12, 2010
Written by: Shibru Galla
Source:- EECMY
This entry was posted on April 30th, 2010 at 09:00:53 am by admin and is filed under News, Church.
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12 comments
What is next Luthrans? Come on can't you see the trend? Every thing which was sin before is being considered as legal. We shall fit to the scripture no the scripture to our lust!!!Let God help you to come to the apostlic and the first church.
This should not even be mentioned among you, say the scripture. But, some churches have taken issue that is anathema and discussing it, and now tell us they reject it. Just a minute, what else were they suppose to say or do if they are true church? Do they expect to get medal for rejecting sin, or is there something they want to tell us before it comes out. “Me think Thou protest too much.” Most of their pastors in the US and Europe have been spiritually molested by homosexual priests and supports. Some have been ordained and hired, promoted by gay, divorced, remarried, and lesbian bishops. Is their ordination going to be annulled, or stay? Do they see where compromising and love of money leads to? Well good luck in their endeavor, but remember they have ceased being a church long time ago, but in form. How tragic for the faithful that follow them.Ordinary Joe
I agree, Joe. Some of the Ethiopian Diaspora churches are run by pastors supported by the very denominations the Mekane Yesus is now denouncing. Mekane Yesus itself seems to be plagued with such immoral and unethical issues for decades. Suffice, looking at the way the church grows in Ethiopia. Is it really by preachng the gospe or giving handouts that Mekane Yesus has become one of the largest Evangelical churches? The products of such conversions are detrimental to the gospel and cancerous to the Ethiopian Evangelical movement. Are they not the ones who promote the ordaining of modern "apostles" in Ethiopia and among the Diaspora chruches? The Mekane Yesus church seemed to be very much influenced by these denominations and the Scandinavian state churches. So, it may take years for Mekane Yesus to free itself from the cancerous teaching and practice. May be, the church should be looking inward and tackle the problem with much prayer and discernment.Liberal doctrines and lifestyles are rampant in the Diaspora church today. Most of the pastors are hirelings employeed to entertain their unlearning congregations. They cannot preach against sin lest they loose their job.
The president's trend to disassociate the church from those liberal denominations is a move in the right direction; so, should he do with those popular Diaspora preachers who condone homesexual life-style in their own churches.
Jirata Wake, your comment regarding Mekane Yesus is a little out of step and you are deliberately misinforming believers. You can not substantiate your facts other than spreading false rumors. The problem you mentioned, it never was an issue in the Church, because it never existed. I can certainly tell you what I know for sure as a proud member of the church. Very soon I will be back with more detailed statements to clear the air that you tried to contaminate. 
I totally agree with the solid stand the EECMY took to reaffirm her position as a healthy church which is grounded in the Holy word of God. As we know a church is a community of believers who are called out for a purpose by God. As a community the church works with those partners who have common position critical issues based on scripture. However, when the position of a partner changes in a critical issues inconsistently with the Bible, the other partner has to voice its decision. That was what the Mekane Yesus Church Leaders did. What is wrong with voicing your decision?? 
My brothers and Sisters, Ethiopia will not tolerate these homosexuals’ and lesbians’ (Garbage) business. I personally advice to the government of Ethiopia, if any one found exercising this garbage business automatically to send him/her into prison, Not to circulate their garbage to other population. Mercy and Grace is perfect, but as long as if he/she changes not their character, it is a dangerous sickness for the rest of Ethiopians people. This is a CHARACTER is not GENETICS. Rev. Habteyesus no one contaminated the air or the organization you are defending with your left hand on your hip and waging the fingers, as it were. The organization you are vouching for has been bleeding liberal for a very long time. So, they are reaping what they have been sowing. Is the child not supposed to drinking the mother’s milk. You have been drinking liberal theology for too long ,what are you going to bring out to clear the air. Which air are you going to clear anyway, Europe, US or Africa. My prayers are with you in your endeavor. True believers should disassociate from such ones. How tragic, spiritually began and end up in the flesh. For sure you know your organization has been a den of thieves and robbers, what can you say about that. Alsheshum zore alu, new negeru .Ordinary Joe
Mr. Joerevish,First of all I am an ordinary member of Mekane Yesus and don't have any title attached to my name. This is the evidence how the fabrications and distortions are created. Have you read what EEMYC declared in its official statement regarding the issue at hand or you are just unloading something what was brewing in your mind for sometime? The Church I know never was an advocate of liberal theology what so ever, and always maintained strict interpretations of the scriptures as they are given to us without any second hand guessing. I am not going to tell you if any church organization is responsible for all distortions and false teachings in the name of Christianity. It is not up to me to speak about it, however I can certainly testify the Church you are accusing now is the one that supported and helped many sister churches and their members during difficult times. You could be one of them. I am sure you are not out of the blue to pick up a stick to fight. Judging by your choice of words, I doubt if it is the right thing to continue this conversation. It is the most shameful act to attack fellow Christians and criticize their good work in spreading the gospel. There is only one who judges us all as we can not hide from Him. It may seem possible to hide from each other and call names, but He is on the side of the humble and ready to defend them. If you could please read the mission statement and teachings of the Church.
My good friend you seem to be up set, I am sorry that the truth makes some very uncomfortable at times, and that is the nature of it, but it sets us all free. How unscientific for you to conclude and assert that just because some one revered you makes “evidence of fabrication and distortion” I guess it is true then that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
As a matter of fact, yes I have read and do not have any problem with declaration what so ever, and for your information nothing was brewing in my mind for any time. So far as saying Makane Yesus is not a liberal church you may be just a new comer or you may not comprehend fully what is meant by liberal church. (Please understand this is not meant in condescending sense.) I am certain that you are a very sincere and faithful to your organization. It is easy to be sincerely wrong, but faithfulness to an organization should not be mixed up with faithfulness to the Lord.
You say “It is not up to me to speak …” But at the same time you are hitting all the 16 cylinders, driving in the wrong direction, as a suspect running away from law enforcements. Get this in all; no one is accusing any church, at best we seek to edify at worse it is exhortation, and everything in between. It may surprise you to hear that I am not “ one of them” as I have never got any support from your organization at any time. Even then does it mean the help was supposed to silence people?
Only a bully fights, but if discussions are a fight then you have got a problem that needs much prayer from your side. I also have responsibility to include you in my list of beloved and not so beloved that I always pray for, if you do not mind. The doctrine of Maken Yesus is impeccable, but the practice of the people refuses to measure up. All we are saying is walk your talk and do not confuse the people. Finally you said, “I doubt if it is the right thing to continue this conversation.” Conversation here is over; no one accused the church for her doctrine but the practice that is liberal, but I think you may have tried to defend, yet ended up being offended. I admire you for your tenacity.
Yours in Christ
Ordinary Joe
for me since the issue is stated clearly in the holy bible any church must not allow such evil practice...we shouldn't worry if any church like COS or ELCA allows what they want but as far as we are according to God's word we are right and God is with us if any one departs....dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let's stand to help churches in Ethiopia to free from such unbiblical issues...please pray for our country and churches...
God bless Ethiopia God bless Mekaneyesus church
Peace to all concerned about the one global church of Christ.The sin of sodomy is sin like other sin what ever color people painted it.
The current postion of Mekaneyesus leadership is appreciated very much in the light of the scriptures.No one is immune from suck sin as we are witness for the fall of that pentcostal brother who was leading the Association of Evangelicals in USA.The case of TBN director for such sin was also sileced by negotiations.
The bottom line here is that no one has to condemn the other especially the pioneer evangelical church in Ethiopia who organized evaneglical fellowships with the former name,BEWONGEL AMAGNOCH ANDNET MSAHBER.Of course those gospel oriented missinoaries who help the estabilishment of the first evangelical church Mekenayesus never dremed the failure of the current church of Europe and America to repudate the scripture.
The Ethiopian Evangelical Mekaneyesus mmbers at home are no different in faith than the other pntcostals or baptissts.Therefore it is high time for us to pray forthe sanctification of the one global church of Christ.
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