Lutherans Are in the Ecumenical Spotlight

ST. PAUL, Minn. (ELCA) -- "The National Workshop on Christian Unity could not be happening at a more auspicious time for Lutherans," said the Rev. Darlis Swan, associate director of the Department for Ecumenical Affairs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She addressed a seminar on "next steps toward full communion" between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church during the National Workshop on Christian Unity here April 27-30.
"It seems appropriate for me as a Lutheran to be addressing this topic as the spotlight is clearly pointed in our direction at the moment," Swan said. She noted that a Lutheran revision of a proposal for full communion between the two churches was just beginning to be discussed, that Lutheran-Reformed full communion had just been ratified and that Lutheran-Moravian full communion was beginning its voting process.
In 1997 the Episcopal Church approved the Concordat of Agreement, a proposal for full communion with the ELCA. The ELCA narrowly defeated the proposal and recommitted itself to the process toward full communion with the Episcopal Church.
On April 9 the ELCA issued the first draft of "Called to Common Mission: A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement" which is to be widely discussed, reworked and presented to the ELCA's 1999 Churchwide Assembly as a new proposal for full communion.
"The 'next steps' may take us into unknown territories, when we would rather walk down a more comfortable road with familiar traveling companions or walk alone," said Swan. "Our next steps ought to be determined by where the Holy Spirit is leading us."
Swan identified several "next steps" for Lutheran-Episcopal full communion. "Keep the covenants between parishes and between synods and dioceses going," she said. "Celebrate our mutual recognition of baptism." Study the Lutheran revision of the full communion proposal in as many arenas as possible.
Some steps identified during more than 30 years of dialogue between the two churches have yet to be taken, said Swan, such as "common educational programs and the joint use of educational facilities among other things." Lutheran and Episcopal congregations are celebrating the Lord's Supper together as a step toward unity, rather than as a sign of unity. "We are not living out a life of common worship and mission," she said.
"My hope is that whatever next steps we take as Lutherans and Episcopalians, we will consider where they will lead us in relation to other Christians throughout the world," said Swan. "It is my conviction that our Lord will guide our steps into the future."
The Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives Network has an important role to play as the ELCA reviews this first draft, said LERN's president, the Rev. Thomas A. Prinz, Nativity Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Va. The network could help organize local and regional programs inviting Lutherans in congregations, synods and other institutions to read, discuss and respond to the draft proposal ... with Episcopalians.
The network's annual meeting is a key part of the National Workshop on Christian Unity. In each of the ELCA's 65 synods the bishop is considered its ecumenical officer. Each bishop is invited to appoint an ecumenical representative to work within the network. In some cases the bishop serves as that representative.
"It would be my hope that we could constantly remind people to respect the nature of a full communion conversation," said Prinz. "While we discuss this document, we do it with Episcopalians present."
"Episcopalians need to hear what we are saying about it. They need to hear Lutheran concerns, Lutheran cautions and the critical comments of Lutherans. That is all going to proceed out of Lutheran theology and Lutheran experience -- living out Lutheran theology in this country," he said.
"One of the most important things LERN could do is to help set the tone for the discussion over the new document," said Prinz. "The way to do that is to start the discussion right away ... what has been changed, why it has been changed, and what that can mean for this potential relationship."
The ELCA's synods are organized into nine regions. The ecumenical representatives from each region elect one from their membership to serve a three-year term on the LERN executive board. The nine board members elect LERN officers -- president, vice president and secretary -- to two-year terms from their membership.
Representatives elected the Rev. David E. Jensen, Ascension Lutheran Church, Minocqua, Wis., to the LERN executive board, and re-elected Prinz and the Rev. Merlyn E. Satrom, retired, St. Paul, Minn. Prinz continues to serve as LERN president until 1999.

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Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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