DENVER (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) discussed how they can participate in the "healing process" that must occur among members of the church who may feel "disenfranchised" by the decision of the 1999 Churchwide Assembly to approve a full communion agreement with The Episcopal Church.
In a joint statement issued by Dr. Addie J. Butler, vice president of the ELCA, and the Rev. Charles H. Maahs, chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, they said members of the ELCA Church Council and the 66 bishops of the ELCA met Aug. 20 in a "background session." The groups' concerns stem from the assembly's approval of "Called to Common Mission" (CCM), by a vote of 716 to 317, a Lutheran proposal for full communion with the Episcopal Church.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including, 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
CCM generated controversy among some members of the ELCA, primarily over the requirement that the ELCA adopt the "historic episcopate," brought to the relationship by the Episcopalians. The historic episcopate is a succession of bishops as a sign of unity back to the earliest days of the Christian church. It will require a Lutheran bishop be present to perform all ordinations of Lutheran clergy. Presently, bishops may delegate to other clergy the authority to perform ordinations.
CCM is a Lutheran proposal that must be approved by a general convention of the Episcopal Church which meets here in July 2000.
"Some bishops said they face many difficulties in the coming days as they work with members who were opposed to the agreement," the statement said. "As ELCA leaders, we understand the need to support and pray for colleagues in leadership positions and those they serve."
Bishops and council members are concerned that the church work actively to avoid regional labels or denigration, Butler and Maahs said.
"We must work together as one church," they said.
The statement called for respect for those who opposed CCM and for including those who opposed the document "in future discussions related to this issue." Maahs and Butler said it was suggested that "we be particularly attentive" to including leaders who actively opposed CCM, as the leadership listen to concerns "of members and clergy who may feel disenfranchised."
"All of us have work to do in the coming days, weeks and months," Butler and Maahs said in their statement. "It is our prayer that as a church, we can continue to live out our common mission of 'Making Christ Known.'"
"We must also find ways to listen to each other with care and concern, and to have an open and inclusive process and discussion. We ask members to reach out to others and to continue to pray for the ELCA as we move together toward full communion with our sisters and brothers in the Episcopal Church."
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
