Possible Changes Offered in Full Communion Implementation

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Eighteen people with differing views on a Lutheran proposal for full communion with the Episcopal Church met in an unofficial, facilitated dialogue in Milwaukee Feb. 16-18. The group approved a "Common Ground Resolution" suggesting "a possible path" in implementing the full communion proposal that could enable those opposed to the proposal to remain in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
"We believe voting members of the 1999 churchwide assembly did not anticipate the depth and extent of opposition that appears to exist," the resolution said.
One suggestion called on the ELCA Church Council to consider a delay in implementing the proposal known as "Called to Common Mission" (CCM) -- until after the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, to allow for certain constitutional changes. Another suggested change would allow ELCA pastors to be recognized fully as pastors even if their ordinations are constitutionally "irregular" because a synodical bishop was not present.
Some dialogue participants suggested other proposals. They suggested ELCA bishops be fully recognized as bishops even if their installations are irregular under CCM, or they suggested the churchwide assembly create a non-geographic synod within the ELCA "which may be out of conformity with certain provisions of full communion agreements," the resolution said.
Though CCM was adopted 716-317 at the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the proposal still must be acted on by a general convention of the Episcopal Church meeting this July in Denver. Until it is adopted by the Episcopal Church, full communion is not in effect.
Dialogue participants were chosen by a steering committee of representatives who favor and oppose CCM, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul (Minn.) Area Synod, and a key leader in organizing the dialogue. Hanson is also vice chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The idea for the dialogue was suggested by Clair Strommen, a Naples, Fla., lay leader who was a dialogue participant, Hanson said.
The dialogue was closed to the public and media representatives, including ELCA News and Information.
Though it has no official status, the resolution and its proposal will be forwarded for possible consideration to the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop; the ELCA Conference of Bishops, consisting of the ELCA's 66 bishops and the ELCA secretary; the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors; and the WordAlone Network, an interim organization that serves CCM opponents. It will also be provided as information to the Episcopal Church, the resolution said.
Lutherans who oppose CCM say they object to the ELCA's adoption of the "historic episcopate," brought to the relationship by the Episcopalians. It is a succession of bishops back to the earliest days of the Christian Church.
The ELCA's adoption of the historic episcopate requires Lutheran clergy to be ordained exclusively by bishops and requires bishops in the historic episcopate to be present when Lutheran bishops are installed. Currently, there are no such requirements in the ELCA. Some 15 million Lutherans in the world are part of the historic episcopate.
Some CCM opponents have held a series of regional meetings, and are planning a constituting convention for the WordAlone Network March 26-29 in Mahtomedi, Minn.
The Milwaukee resolution was approved by 17 of 18 dialogue participants. The Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director, ELCA Division for Ministry, voted against. Wagner said the resolution has the effect of undercutting the action of the churchwide assembly to approve full communion with the Episcopal Church. He also told ELCA News the meeting's dynamics encouraged the group to arrive at "an apparent accommodation which over-represented a vocal minority opposition to CCM in the ELCA."
The resolution's proposals have been widely circulated and have drawn some questions.
"'Common Ground' seems to be a strange name for the resolution because what is proposed appears not to reflect an understanding of either the present polity of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or of our predecessor church bodies," said the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary. "To implement what I understand to be the assumptions of the Milwaukee proposals would require substantial constitutional changes." The ELCA Office of the Secretary is responsible for constitutional interpretations.
Constitutional amendments to implement CCM were approved by 84 percent of the voting members at the 1999 Churchwide Assembly, Almen added.
In interviews after the meeting, views of the dialogue participants varied.
The fact that the meeting occurred at all was significant, said Hanson, who favors CCM. "Some supporters (of CCM) will say we tipped too close to those opposed and others will see those opposed will have been heard and their views articulated," he said. Hanson said it's "very difficult" to make space in the ELCA for those opposed to the imposition of the historic episcopate and not undermine CCM.
Hanson added he hopes the Episcopal Church will understand that the issues are internal to the ELCA and that the discussion was aimed at seeking unity.
"I continue to support strongly CCM and full communion with the Episcopal Church," said the Rev. Michael L. Cooper-White, director, ELCA Department for Synodical Relations and assistant to the presiding bishop. "I hope the outcome of the Milwaukee conversations might help ELCA leaders find a way both to honor our church's adoption of CCM and to enable those opposed to remain within the fold."
Because the Milwaukee dialogue was not an official meeting, Cooper-White said he opposed labeling the suggestions as a "resolution."
The Rev. Bradley C. Jenson, Kenwood Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minn., attended the meeting and opposes CCM. The dialogue was "often heated, but not personal," he said. Jenson said he was pleased with the suggestions in the resolution.
"I didn't expect we could get something together to agree on," Jenson said. "The meetings actually exceeded my expectations."
Jenson said he will not remain in the ELCA if the historic episcopate is imposed on future ordinands.
Gracia Grindal, professor of rhetoric, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, also attended and also opposes CCM. Before the dialogue, she and other opponents were "wary."
"It was a very good meeting," she said. "I can always hope and pray that God's will will be done. It (the resolution) may go through and some of it may not. That may bring something else to consider."
The Rev. Amandus J. Derr, St. Peter Lutheran Church, New York, a CCM proponent and dialogue participant, sought to distance himself from the meeting despite voting for the resolution. He wrote and circulated a letter five days after the dialogue.
"I write to disavow completely any statement that indicates my support of or agreement with the Common Ground statement," he said. "This was an imbalanced, non-representative meeting in which a process was used to create a final product with which I heartily disagree, although after three days of forceful opposition to both the product and the process, I didn't properly express my final disagreement with the statement since I was rushing off to catch a plane."
His letter also called for ELCA bishops and Church Council members to be active leaders on CCM.
Derr added he believes CCM is right for the ELCA. "In New York, it's the only thing to do. We need partners," he told ELCA News.
The dialogue's participants included Linda Danielson, Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines; Derr; Grindal; the Rev. Gordon S. "Tim" Huffman Jr., professor of Christian mission, Trinity Seminary, Columbus, Ohio; Jenson; the Rev. Marc Kolden, professor of systematic theology, Luther Seminary; Dr. Margaret<