The ELCA churchwide meetings in Minneapolis next month will vote on allowing congregations to receive "life-long, monogamous, same-gender relationships" among ordained clergy.

On March 4th, Kallestad wrote to his congregation "our firm opposition to this policy" in the belief that "the Bible makes it clear that homosexuality is a sin." He expanded on his views in the magazine's interview, noting that the ELCA statement on sexuality has "become a social action issue when it's not. It's a biblical authority issue."

Church of Joy has an attendance of 2,500 and a school of 1,000 students. Kallestad says that "if they are seeking diversity, what they've ended up with is division." He has said he is working with other large congregations against the action when it comes to a vote.

According to Church Executive, in a special congregational meeting on Sunday, June 28, the church voted to sever its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in a 94 percent vote, and to join the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) in a 98 percent vote.

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