Ecumenical Proposals Test ELCA-LCMS Relationship

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- An Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) vote this summer to declare "full communion" with four Protestant church bodies would further strain relations with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, LCMS leaders told their ELCA counterparts March 24.
     ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson said, "We received the impression that although they would be very disappointed in our moving ahead with the ecumenical proposals, at the same time they do cherish and would seek to maintain the common work we do together."
     Discussion of two ecumenical proposals was a major agenda item when the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC) met in St. Louis.  The 12-member CLC has six members each from the ELCA and LCMS, including Anderson and LCMS President A.L. Barry.
     The ELCA's biennial Churchwide Assembly, which meets Aug. 14-20 in Philadelphia, will consider three ecumenical proposals. The two discussed at the CLC meeting are that the ELCA enter into full communion with The Episcopal Church and enter into full communion with three Reformed churches -- the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ. A third proposal, not discussed by the CLC, would declare certain 16th century condemnations of the Roman Catholic Church no longer apply.
     "Where would the LCMS see the ELCA regarding the apostolic faith?" Anderson asked.  "Do we teach it, or not?  Are we in it, or not?"
     "Many in our fellowship would feel that if you adopt these ecumenical proposals, you will have left your stance on the Lutheran Confessions," Barry replied.
     "We would not see ourselves as departing from the Lutheran Confessions," ELCA Secretary the Rev. Lowell G. Almen responded. "We see the proposals as reflecting our confessional commitments," he added later.
     Anderson told the committee, "Our people would not see this as defining us as farther apart."  He added that many in the ELCA continue to pray for stronger ties with the LCMS.  Barry, too, had noted earlier in the meeting that many members of LCMS congregations "have ties to the ELCA and a genuine love for the ELCA."
     Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, executive director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, said that ELCA adoption of the ecumenical proposals "will be received with a great deal of sadness, but not as a great shock."  He said members "will see we do have some serious theological disagreements."  He added that it would make certain cases of pastoral care more difficult -- such as when "snowbirds" from one church body worship where they spend the winter with a congregation of the other Lutheran body.
     "It will be a significant point in terms of our relationship," Nafzger said.
     Barry and Anderson agreed that the two church bodies continue on "diverging paths."  Anderson asked, "What can we do to turn those [diverging] arrows so they are parallel, if not convergent?"
     Although possible subjects for ELCA-LCMS discussion were proposed, no agenda for future theological dialogue between the two church bodies -- at CLC meetings or in another forum -- was set.
     In other business, CLC members shared updates on programmatic and other developments in their respective church bodies and discussed a variety of administrative matters.
     Although the CLC generally meets every six months, the March 24 meeting was the first time in two years that the group was able to meet.  It was also the first meeting attended by Anderson, who was elected bishop in 1995.
     The next CLC meeting is set for Nov. 3 in Chicago.

     [* The Rev. David L. Mahsman is the director for News
     and Information Services at the Lutheran Church-
     Missouri Synod.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html