Philadelphia church welcomes openly gay pastor

A Philadelphia church will ordain David Norse, the city's first openly gay male Presbyterian pastor, the church's senior leader said. Broad Street Ministry will welcome Princeton Theological Seminary graduate Norse as its new pastor Sunday, said Rev. Bill Golderer, Avenue of the Arts' church convening minister. The U.S. Presbyterian Church amended its constitution in 2011 to allow sexually active, unmarried members to become church officers, including those in same-sex relationships. Although the decision led to some tensions nationwide, Golderer said the decision to ordain Norse has not caused disagreement within the local community. In a statement, Norse noted his new assignment is at a church that "is one of inclusion that welcomes the LGBTQ community and sees inclusion as central to what Christianity is all about."