Policies Recommended for ELCA-Reformed Sharing of Clergy

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a step closer to implementing a key element of its new relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ. The board of the ELCA Division for Ministry met here March 12-14 and recommended policies and procedures for the availability of clergy between the ELCA and each of the Reformed churches in full communion.
Assemblies of the ELCA and the three Reformed churches approved "A Formula of Agreement," a proposal for full communion, in 1997. Presbyteries officially ratified the relationship on March 11. A festival worship service at Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel on Oct. 4 will formally declare the churches in full communion.
The board of the ELCA Division for Ministry recommended that the ELCA Church Council approve "Policy and Procedures Related to the Availability of Ordained Ministers between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Church Bodies with which there is a Relationship of Full Communion" when it meets in April.
The document cites three bases on which ordained ministers of one of the Reformed church bodies might serve an ELCA congregation: short-term, long-term or permanent. An ELCA synod bishop could authorize such a pastor to preach or administer the sacraments on an occasional basis or for an extended period of time. A pastor who would like to serve an ELCA congregation indefinitely could apply for admission to the roster of ELCA pastors.
An ELCA pastor authorized to serve a congregation of another "full communion" church body temporarily would remain a Lutheran pastor "upon the recommendation of the synodical bishop and by action of the synod council in the synod in which the ordained minister is listed on the roster."
Board discussion of the document focused on questions of discipline and accountability. The procedures state that ordained Lutheran ministers serving other church bodies are accountable to the synod where they are rostered.
In response to another action of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly that the division "participate in the development and use of models of conversation and continuing moral deliberation," the board discussed questions related to homosexuality and rostered ministry. Dr. Nelvin L. Vos, board chair, said the assembly asked the board "to discuss ways we can provide a climate in which we are willing and able to have a conversation about this question."
"We are not being asked to move in new policy directions," he added, "but to help develop models of conversation for our constituencies -- candidacy committees, seminaries, continuing education centers and rostered leaders." Vos is a professor of English at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa.
The board made a list of 17 questions, most of which focused on issues of biblical and theological interpretation related to homosexuality. Several members said the question of whether the church can ever bless gay and lesbian unions needs to be decided before the question of ordination can be seriously considered because of the ELCA's insistence on abstinence for non-married clergy.
"It is not in the purview of the division to examine marriage," said the Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director of the ELCA Division for Ministry. He asked the board to look specifically at the assembly's directive. "Our focus is on standards for rostered ministry," he said.
The board will continue this discussion at its October meeting.
Wagner reported that the Fund for Leaders in Mission, established at the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, has received a $1 million grant from Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans. "This is the first time the fraternals have funded a proposal together," he said.
The fund's long-term goal is to establish a financial base that will defray tuition costs for candidates preparing for rostered ministry in the ELCA. The $1 million gift will establish the fund's infrastructure, said the Rev. Donald M. Hallberg, executive director of the ELCA Foundation. Current plans call for a director, associate director and a communication officer to be in place by this fall.
In other action, the board officially installed four new staff members: the Rev. Richard J. Bruesehoff, director for leadership support; Carol L. Schickel, director for candidacy; the Rev. Donald A. Stiger, director for specialized pastoral care and associate director for candidacy; and the Rev. Gregory J. Villalon, director for multicultural leadership development.
It also expressed "profound gratitude" to the Rev. Phyllis B. Anderson for more than 10 years of service as the ELCA's first director for theological education. In April she will become the first director of the Institute for Ecumenical Theological Studies at Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry.

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