DENVER (ELCA) -- After 30 years of ecumenical dialogue, and having narrowly rejected the measure in 1997, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a proposal for full communion with The Episcopal Church.
The proposal, "Called to Common Mission," was endorsed at the ELCA's assembly here by a vote of 716 to 317, just 27 votes more than the two-thirds majority needed to approve the measure. Among other things, the proposal could make it possible for the ELCA and Episcopal Church to exchange clergy and commits them to work together on future mission and service projects.
In approving the proposal, the ELCA agreed to accept the "historic episcopate," the concept that those who ordain new pastors are from a line of bishops stretching back to the earliest days of the church.
On their side, the Episcopalians have agreed to suspend a 17th century rule about who can be considered a priest and agreed to accept the ministries of all current ELCA pastors and bishops.
The ELCA churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people taking part, including 1,038 voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
Next year the Episcopal General Convention will meet, also in Denver, to ratify the fellowship proposal. A similar document was approved by the Episcopalians, but the Lutherans rejected it by by a six-vote margin in 1997.
The matter of the historic episcopate had become the focal point of debate on the fellowship proposal. Debates prior to the assembly and at hearings held here revealed disagreement over this aspect of the proposal. While a number of Lutheran churches around the world have the historic episcopate, it has never been a part of American Lutheran church life, and numerous voting members of the assembly said they did not believe the church needed it.
"This is the wrong way to do the right thing," said Linda Danielson of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod, who said she favored fellowship with Episcopalians, but not if the ELCA was required to adopt this understanding of the episcopate or office of bishop.
Others argued that full communion was necessary to strengthen the mission of the church. "We need partners who are across the street from us," said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod. "We need your help," he said to the assembly, adding "Give us our partners."
The ELCA was formed in 1987 by a merger of three Lutheran church bodies, some of whom had already experienced previous mergers, blending various strains of Lutheranism. Some suspect the document is a way of providing bishops with more authority in the church, though drafters assured the assembly that under the agreement this would not be the case.
Proponents argued that the measure enables the ELCA to be an ecumenical "bridge," because in 1997 the 5.2-million-member denomination also declared full communion with three Reformed church bodies and this year -- just a few hours before the Episcopal decision -- endorsed full communion with the Moravian Church in America.
The Rev. Robert Isakson, bishop of the ELCA New England Synod, said Lutherans can be "sought out for what we bring to the ecumenical table." Since debate over the ministry and the role of bishops has frequently troubled ecumenical relations, Isakson said, "Lutherans are uniquely positioned to break this logjam."
Following the vote, the Rev. David Perry, ecumenical officer of the Episcopal Church, read a statement from Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold which said he received the decision "with rejoicing and thanksgiving." Griswold said "the promise of our deepening life together offers real hope for the broken world. The test of our full communion will be our faithfulness to the gospel in mission and witness, in prayer and fellowship at God's altar. We ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in the days ahead."
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
