DENVER (ELCA) -- The closing minutes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 1999 Churchwide Assembly were spent addressing concerns that linger across the ELCA after an intense debate over a proposal to enter a relationship of full communion with The Episcopal Church. The assembly approved the proposal Aug. 19.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, met Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. There were more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly was "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
Full communion means that churches recognize each other's ministries, agree to work closely together in mission and allow for the exchange of clergy. The assembly approved the Lutheran full-communion proposal, "Called to Common Mission," by a vote of 716 to 317.
"A significant minority in this hall is in a state of grief," the Rev. John E. Fahning, an interim pastor of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod, told the assembly Aug. 22. "I saw the church I thought I knew blown away."
Referring to a prophet of the Bible, Fahning said, "When Elijah suffered defeat after victory, he fled to the wilderness and sat down under a solitary broom tree and asked God that he might die.
"I do have a maple tree. I am going to sit down under it and read Psalm 115: 'I praise the Lord. We will bless the Lord from this time on and forever more.' Some of us are scattered like sheep without a shepherd. We will live lost into Christ," said Fahning.
The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, responded, "I should like to say to you and all those who do not support 'Called to Common Mission,' I know where your heart is. I know you cherish your involvement in the church."
A key point in the debate was the prominence Lutheran bishops would realize when the ELCA incorporates the "historic episcopate" of the Episcopal Church. Those opposed to the proposal argued that placing Lutheran bishops in an Anglican succession of bishops back to the earliest days of the Christian church would detract from the Lutheran principle of "the priesthood of all believers."
"I know you envision a church where its members, especially lay members, will have a greater role," said Anderson. "You want mission more than structure."
Another element of the debate was whether or not entering into full communion with the Episcopal Church would limit the ELCA's ecumenical activities with other Christian denominations which do not have the historic episcopate.
Anderson told Fahning and those who opposed the proposal, "You are ready to reach out to other churches."
"I thank you for being champions of these priorities," said the bishop. "I pledge to you to do all I can to achieve them."
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.
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Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
