About the ELCA
Who We Are
Beliefs
EIR

Ecumenical & Inter-Religious Relations

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations

The ELCA is committed to visible unity among Christians as well as mutual understanding and cooperation for the common good between Christians and people of other religions and worldviews.

The ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations staff in the Office of the Presiding Bishop is responsible for supporting and coordinating the ecumenical and inter-religious life of this church across its various expressions and alongside our Lutheran, ecumenical and inter-religious partners.

As a church, we continue to live into our calling and commitments, which reflect a world that is both ecumenically diverse and multireligious. Four key ELCA documents, or declarations, currently serve to guide this critical work: “A Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment” (1991), “A Declaration of the ELCA to the Jewish Community” (1994), “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment” (2019), and “A Declaration to the Muslim Community” (2022).

‍

A close-up of three hands joined together in prayer with a blurred view of a circle of people holding hands visible between their arms and bodies.

Ecumenical Relations

Ecumenism is the effort to promote unity and cooperation among different Christian churches and traditions. Ecumenical engagement has been a core part of our self-understanding as a church since the ELCA was founded and continues to serve as an important instrument through which we respond to the needs of the world, find common purpose, and build relationships with other Lutherans and other Christians. We do this through our full communion partnerships, bi-lateral conversations and dialogues, and conciliar bodies.

Full Communion

Full communion is a relationship between denominations that share a common confession of Christian faith, recognize each other’s Baptism, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. It does not require merging; differences are respected while affirming they are not church dividing. Churches in full communion may worship together, exchange clergy, and share commitments to evangelism, witness, and service.

For Lutherans, Article VII of the Augsburg Confession defines church unity as the right preaching of the gospel and proper administration of the sacraments. The ELCA views full communion as a faithful expression of this unity.

Key Characteristics of Full Communion

  • Shared confession of the Christian faith
  • Mutual recognition of Baptism and shared Eucharist
  • Exchange and mutual recognition of clergy
  • Common commitment to mission and service
  • Shared processes for decision-making on key issues
  • Removal of historic condemnations between churches

Full Communion Partners

A Formula of Agreement (1997)

As churches of the Reformation the ELCA, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Christ entered into full communion in 1997. After 32 years of dialogue – and in light of identified doctrinal differences and consensus – these churches worked together to form a foundational document titled, “A Formula of Agreement”. The agreement declared these four churches together in full communion on the basis of a common calling, a desire to bear visible witness to the unity of the church and a need to engage together in God’s mission.

Called to Common Mission (1999)

In 1999, the ELCA entered into full communion with The Episcopal Church. “Called to Common Mission: A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement” is the document that describes that relationship. The Episcopal Church took its final action on this relationship at its 2000 General Convention in Denver. The work of reception is carried forward by the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee. As a guide for understanding the full communion agreement, a commentary was developed. It provides helpful information on the text and agreement for “Called to Common Mission.” Guidelines and Worship Resources for the Celebration of Full Communion: Lutheran – Episcopal.

Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion (1999)

In 1999, the ELCA entered into full communion with the Moravian Church as it was described in the document, “Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion”. The Southern and Northern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America also approved this document. In 2007, the ELCA extended a full communion invitation to the Alaska Province of the Moravian Church in America. The invitation was not accepted by this Province. The work of reception is carried forward by the Lutheran-Moravian Coordinating Committee.

Confessing Our Faith Together (2009)

In 2009, the ELCA entered into full communion with the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church General Conference had approved the agreement in 2008. “Confessing Our Faith Together” is the full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church. This marked the first time that the ELCA had moved into a full communion relationship with a church that had a membership larger than that of the ELCA. The work of reception is carried forward by the ELCA-United Methodist Church Coordinating Committee.

More Ecumenical and Interreligious Resources

A person with a red sweater, whose face is not visible, holds two clay chalices, one in each hand. The one closest to the camera has the inscription “You Are.”

Lutheran Network-LEIRN

Two sets of hands join together in a close-up photo where the left hand of a person in a black shirt places a piece of bread into the folded hands of a person in a purple shirt during Holy Communion.

EIR Resources

A person, whose face is off-camera, wearing a gold and black zip-up sweater has their hands folded in prayer, leaning on an empty church pew in front of them.

Lutheran World Federation

The words “Churches Beyond Borders” with “Beyond” highlighted in yellow script, next to logos for four Christian denominations, arranged around a yellow cross.

Churches Beyond Borders