Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion

I. The Journey to Full Communion: Recommendations to the Churches

The Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America, hereinafter termed the Moravian Church in America, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby agree that in their respective assemblies there shall be one vote to accept or reject, without separate amendment, the resolutions which follow. If adopted by both churches, each church agrees to take these measures to establish full communion:

WHEREAS Jesus our Shepherd calls us to unity so that the world may believe; and

WHEREAS Moravians and Lutherans share common theological
traditions and commitments to mission; and

WHEREAS in North America Lutherans and Moravians have developed distinct church bodies while cooperating in serving our Lord; and

WHEREAS Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion , the report of the Lutheran-Moravian dialogue, affirmed that there are no church-dividing differences precluding full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in America; therefore be it resolved

1. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in America hereby recognize in one another the one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith as it is expressed in the Scriptures, confessed in the Church's historic creeds, attested to in the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and Small Catechism, and the Ground of the Unity of the Unitas Fratrum
2. The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby
   • recognize the authenticity of each other's baptism and eucharists, and
   • extend sacramental hospitality to one another's members;
3. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in America hereby
   • recognize each other's ordinations of persons to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament; and
   • recognize each other's polity and ministries of oversight (including the interpretation of church doctrines, discipline of members, authorization of persons for ordained and lay ministries, and provision for administrative functions);
4. The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby recognize the full interchangeability and reciprocity of all ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament, subject to the constitutionally approved invitation for ministry in each other's churches;
5. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in America hereby authorize the establishment of a joint commission by June, 2000.
   • to coordinate the implementation of these resolutions,
   • to assist joint planning for mission,
   • to facilitate consultation and common decision-making through appropriate channels in fundamental matters that the churches may face together in the future, and
   • to report regularly and appropriately to each church;
6. The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the aforementioned joint commission shall
   • encourage the development of worship materials to celebrate the churches' full communion,
   • encourage on-going theological discussion,
   • encourage joint formulation of educational materials, and
   • encourage continuing education for church professionals regarding the churches' full communion;
7. The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby affirm that neither will issue an official commentary on the text of these resolutions that has not been approved by the joint commission as a legitimate interpretation thereof;
8. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in America hereby agree that each will continue to be in communion with all the churches with which each is in communion presently;

1. The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby

   • pledge to take each other and these agreements into account at every stage of their dialogues and agreements with other churches and faith traditions,
   • pledge to seek to engage in joint dialogue when appropriate, and
   • pledge not to enter into formal agreements with other churches and faith traditions without prior consultation with the other.

   
   
   
   
   

   The Lutheran-Moravian Coordinating Committee

   ELCA participants The Rev. Dr. Walter Wagner, co-chair Allentown, Pennsylvania The Rev. Dr. Ronald Rinn Winston-Salem, North Carolina The Rev. Martha Sheaffer Lititz, Pennsylvania The Rev. Dr. Darlis J. Swan, staff Chicago, Illinois

   Moravian participants The Rev. Otto Dreydoppel, Jr., co-chair Nazareth, Pennsylvania The Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews Winston-Salem, North Carolina The Rev. Gary L. Harke, staff Sun Prairie, Wisconsin