CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The leaders of the two largest Lutheran church bodies met here Aug. 17 to start making plans for formal discussions between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson played host to LCMS President A.L. Barry.
The two church bodies share the Lutheran tradition and the Augsburg Confessions of the Reformation, and they work cooperatively in many social services. The ELCA and LCMS have differed on matters of biblical interpretation and relations with other Christian churches. They have not engaged in "intra-Lutheran" conversations since the formation of the ELCA in 1988.
"President Barry and I had a very promising discussion about initiating a series of theological conversations between representatives of our respective church bodies," said Anderson. "We are now in the process of developing a specific format and list of topics."
Anderson said he hopes the churches can discuss such topics as ecumenical decisions and the broader question of how each church views unity with other Christians, as well as the Lutheran approach toward post-modern society.
"I anticipate that I will have a recommendation ready for the next meeting of the ELCA Church Council" which will be held here Nov. 12-16, said Anderson.
In August 1997 the ELCA agreed to enter into "full communion" with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ, and it adopted a joint declaration on the doctrine of justification with the Roman Catholic Church.
In July a national convention of the LCMS passed a resolution saying, "In faithfulness to God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions, and motivated by our love and concern for the people and pastors of the ELCA, we express our deep regret and profound disagreement with these actions taken by the ELCA." The same resolution urged the two Lutheran church bodies to keep talking to each other and supported Barry's meeting with Anderson.
"I really appreciated the opportunity to travel to Chicago to meet with Bishop Anderson," said Barry. "I conveyed to him personally the resolution adopted by our synod regarding the ecumenical decisions of the ELCA."
"Among other items, we explored ways in which we could begin working toward a formal process of theological discussions between our two churches on a variety of subjects," said Barry. "We are now in the process of identifying dates when these discussions can begin. I am hopeful that they will begin in the near future."
The ELCA has 5.2 million members in 11,000 congregations. The Missouri Synod has 2.6 million members in 6,200 congregations.
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.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
