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More than 80 percent of Finnish citizens belong to the ELCF, and both conservative and liberal groups are part of the state church. Operation World estimates that about 20 percent of the individuals in the ELCF group themselves with mission agencies like LEAF, where they find a platform for evangelism.

The Finnish government was more involved in the state church in the past, and the president used to nominate bishops. However, the government has shifted out of church affairs in the last 20 years, according to Kärkkäinen, a theology professor at Fuller Theological Seminary.

The church has been ordaining women since 1986, and in 2006 the Bishops' Conference ruled that pastors do not have the right to refuse to work with female pastors, even if pastors believe it is unbiblical.

Pastors who don't accept the ordination of women will not be appointed vicar of a parish.

"Whatever you say, you're going to offend a segment of the church," Kärkkäinen said. "It is a debated issue, far from being resolved."

Johan Candelin, director of World Evangelical Alliance's Religious Liberty Commission, said the blessing of gay and lesbian couples will be "the hot potato in future years. When that comes up, then the church will split. What the split will look like, I don't know."

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Helsingin Sanomat reported on the story in March and again when charges were filed.

The ELCF explains its relationship to the state in some detail.

LEAF is a missionary organization within the ELCF.

The Lutheran World Federation reports that, "A 2006 survey on church-office holders, about two percent of pastors in the ELCF's 517 congregations were opposed to cooperation with women pastors" but says the debate is heating up.

Other Christianity Today stories about church life are available on our site.

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November (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51