Gay and lesbian Clergy are now allowed to serve in the Evangelical Lutheran church without threat of discipline from their congregation or their bishops, according to media reports Sunday.

Washington – Gay and lesbian Clergy are now allowed to serve in the Evangelical Lutheran church without threat of discipline from their congregation or their bishops, according to media reports Sunday.

The decision was announced today by Bishop Paul Landahel of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

A day earlier, attendees voted down a measure that would have ended a ban on non-celibate gay clergy. But Saturday’s vote calls on church leaders to “refrain from or demonstrate restraint” in disciplining those who violate the policy.

“It’s a huge victory,” said Jeremy Posadas, 26, a voting church member from Decatur, Ga. “The gospel of inclusion has won and we’re going to keep winning.”

Others were less enthusiastic with the decision.

“This decision does not reflect the will of the people, but of bishops and clergy who disregard God’s word,” said the Rev. Mark Chavez, a leader of Lutheran CORE — a coalition that seeks to preserve traditional authority within the church.

The 4.8 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.

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