The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America passed a proposal Friday allowing gays and lesbians in monogamous relationships to serve as clergy members. Before Friday, only celibate homosexuals were allowed serve.  We spoke to parishioners at a local Lutheran church to get their thoughts on the proposal.

At Christ Lutheran Church in Hartford, reaction to the ELCA's vote included acceptance, disappointment, and everything in-between.

"I do kind of have mixed feelings," said Cindi Perry of Hartford.  "I kind of struggle with gay people, but at the same time, I know as a Christian, I try not to judge."

The ELCA's proposal allows gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy. And while some parishioners like Troy Larson of Hartford disagree with the decision, he's says it's important that congregations have the final say. 

"It's not something being forced on individual churches and so, in that respect, that's good," Larson said.  "It's still disappointing, but it should not fracture the church."

While reaction to the ELCA vote is mixed, the one principle everyone seems to agree on is that, eventually, faith will guide the way.

"It's not something that should tear us apart," Larson said.  "I believe that we need to leave it in God's hands and he will work it out to good."

"The bottom line is faith," Perry said.  "And if they're very strong believers and if they can bring other people, whether they're gay or not, into believing in the church and being more accepting, I think that would actually be a good thing."

And as the discussions over the ELCA's recent vote continue, church-goers are hoping to find some common ground as time goes on.

In May, the South Dakota Synod voted to uphold the policy that prevented sexually-active gays and lesbians from serving as pastors and sent that recommendation to the ELCA.