ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Rev. A.L. Barry, president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod plan to meet in Chicago on Aug. 17 to discuss how to foster more communication between their two churches, especially on theological issues.
"We are meeting to see if we can arrange for a different group to discuss theological issues," Anderson said here April 16, at the end of an all-day meeting of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC). By "different group" he meant a group other than the CLC.
The CLC meets twice a year and is comprised of six leaders -- including Anderson and Barry -- from each of the two church bodies.
Anderson and Barry both have expressed an interest in theological discussions between their church bodies, especially as the two have seen increasing theological divisions between them.
As examples of what might be discussed by a group appointed by the two church leaders, Anderson cited how Lutherans should "view and relate to other Christian bodies" and whether lay leaders could be used to supply congregations that are unable to call or support a pastor.
Barry said he wants to wait until he meets with Anderson before outlining his thoughts on the form of any assignment to be undertaken by a joint LCMS-ELCA discussion group.
Differences between the two Lutheran bodies have become more apparent -- and the topic of more discussion -- since last summer, when the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly approved full communion between the ELCA and three Reformed churches -- the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ.
How LCMS leaders have characterized those differences became an issue at last month's CLC meeting as well. Quoting from a pamphlet by Barry on ELCA-LCMS differences, Anderson said ELCA leaders have been "deeply disturbed" by it and other LCMS commentary on the ELCA and "do not feel that we have been fairly represented, but have been characterized in a way that put us in the most negative light."
The pamphlet, "What About ... The Differences Between the ELCA and the LCMS," Barry maintained, "very accurately represents the action taken by the ELCA." He said it was prepared in response to questions he was receiving as a result of the ELCA's full-communion vote last year.
"I would not see that we were putting a negative spin on it, other than how we view the adoption of the ecumenical proposals," Barry said.
"This discussion is a strong case ... that we need to be talking to one another," said Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, executive director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations. He added that the discussion should be an impetus for additional LCMS-ELCA talks, such as those planned for August.
* 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
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
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Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
