ELCA Council Moves Ecumenical Proposal Forward (*Correction)

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Called to Common Mission," a draft proposal for full communion with The Episcopal Church, came under the scrutiny of the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the council's meeting here April 18-20. The proposal is being distributed to congregations and leaders of the ELCA for discussion and comment.
The council voted on two actions related to the proposal, one asking members of the ELCA to study the document and respond, listening respectfully to each other in discussion. The other action authorizes a 10-member panel to review responses from the ELCA and advise the writing team in its effort to prepare a final draft.
The Rev. Martin Marty, Chicago, introduced the proposal to the Church Council. He chaired the writing team that has worked since January to produce "Called to Common Mission" and is moderator for the advisory panel. He was joined by the Rt. Rev. Herbert Donovan, provisional Bishop of the Chicago Diocese, The Episcopal Church.
The council's main action called on members and congregations of the ELCA to review the proposal within the framework of the church's ecumenical goals and "to respond to this draft, thereby participating in the ongoing development of a revised proposal for full communion ...(for) consideration by the 1999 Churchwide Assembly."
It was amended to include encouragement to members of the ELCA to "strengthen and renew efforts to listen carefully and respectfully to each other as they review this draft." In a roll-call vote there were 31 votes in favor of the action and three abstentions.
The action emerged out of a drawn-out process of amendments and revisions as the council worked to carry out its legislative responsibilities faithfully and at the same time indicate the caution and hesitation of some members.
Linda J. Brown, council member from Moorhead, Minn., said, "It is essential that our action be interpreted as an invitation for further education and dialogue, that people be open to one another's viewpoints."
The 1997 Churchwide Assembly narrowly defeated the Concordat of Agreement, a proposal to enter into full communion with The Episcopal Church. The assembly voted for a program of education in the ELCA and the creation of a revised document that could be brought to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly.
The council's action called on the ELCA "to take advantage of the opportunities for dialogue and study of available resources for greater understanding of the history, theology and ecclesiology of this church and The Episcopal Church, and to deepen and intensify their conversations on full communion with our sisters and brothers in The Episcopal Church."
Full communion is not a merger but would make it possible for the two churches to share clergy and cooperate more fully in their social service and mission efforts, expressing unity in Christ.
Marty told the council that he "assumes the entire 100 percent of the ELCA yearns for full communion." He said, "Another assumption is that both churches would do some adapting and changing." He is "mindful that a majority, not quite two-thirds, is ready to go ahead."
Marty said, "I cannot stress too much the difference between full communion and merger." Donovan called the "journey" toward full communion "greater, more significant than merger. Together we are discovering the nature of the church in our time."
Marty said, "The one-third of the church who question this are not my enemy, they are fellow Lutherans struggling with some of the same things I have had to think about."
Some Lutherans are troubled by the necessity that both proposals have borne for ELCA acceptance of the historic episcopate, a succession of bishops as a sign of unity to the early days of the Christian church, Marty said, "You cannot realize full communion' with The Episcopal Church without also receiving the episcopate."
He said, "We have to be clear: any Lutherans, however creative and imaginative or visionary they may be, who say that they propose and desire full communion with Episcopalians but without the episcopate are wasting time, breath, and ink."
Marty stressed that Lutherans need not view the historic episcopate among the essentials of faith. "We took great pains these months to be assured and to have the document clearly and precisely say that Episcopalians do not expect Lutherans to start accepting the episcopate as a matter of faith, as something essential to our understanding of the ministry of Word and Sacrament."
Marty said, "We're picking up some pieces that Americans have dropped. Lots of Lutherans elsewhere in the world have the historic episcopate."
In answer to a question Marty explained that the new proposal, like the earlier Concordat, allows only bishops to ordain pastors. Currently an ELCA bishop may designate a pastor to fulfill his or her role in that rite. "If you make all kinds of exceptions, there is no sign of continuity," he said.
Marty said, the ELCA, in making this move, would join that part of the church which sees that sign as so important.
The Rev. Susan L. Engh, Wayzata, Minn., pointed to the Haugean tradition in American Lutheranism, "which I learned and embraced in my seminary experience." She said, "There is no magic to the laying on of hands at ordination, still we require the touch of a certain person. I am questioning why one touch would be more official than another."
Engh said, "This has to do with how I think of myself as a pastor and my calling." She said, I am called by God and God's church, and that church is made up of God's people.
Marty asked, "Do you think a pastor is needed ordain? Could a lay person do it?"
Engh responded, "I'm not sure a lay person couldn't ordain." She said in an interview, "It is very important to me that lay people were involved in the laying on of hands at my own ordination" and stressed that she is committed to good order.

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