ELCA-LCMS Discussion Panel Holds Second of Three Meetings

CHICAGO (ELCA)-- Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) discussed theological differences between the two churches, especially based on how they interpret Scriptures, and ways Lutheran congregations without pastors can celebrate the Christian sacraments.
The panel of 10 members from each church met Feb. 14-15 at the International Center of the LCMS in St. Louis. Reporters and other observers were excluded from the meeting. The secretaries of the two church bodies prepared a communique which presented the content of the meeting.
The Rev. Raymond L. Hartwig, LCMS secretary, provided the first paper, "Understanding the Different Theologies Under Which We Function." After underscoring the oneness that is shared by the two church bodies, he described key theological positions, key theological differences and how these differences demonstrate themselves in the two church bodies today, the secretaries reported.
The "different theologies" Hartwig highlighted were those also identified in a 1978 study document by the former Lutheran Council in the USA: the agreement needed for church fellowship, subscription to the Lutheran Confessions, the authority of the Scriptures and the differing roles being assumed by the LCMS and ELCA in the world today. The Lutheran Council included the LCMS and churches which formed the ELCA in 1988.
The Rev. Patricia J. Lull, director for campus ministry, ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools, addressed similar topics with her paper, "The Authority of Scripture: Two Views." She cited various public statements of the two denominations to illustrate their common understandings and confessions regarding the Scriptures, the secretaries reported.
Lull identified also where understandings regarding the authority of Scripture markedly diverge. The ELCA understands this authority to rest upon the dynamic message of the Bible, she said, while the LCMS has made the theological decision to locate the authority of Scripture not only in the message but in the text itself. This difference demonstrates itself in the differing ways that doctrinal uniformity is understood as a prerequisite to cooperation in church life, said Lull.
The Rev. Paul J. Seastrand, First English Lutheran Church (ELCA), Billings, Mont., addressed the topic "Confessional Subscription and Church Fellowship in the ELCA and in the LCMS." Asserting that confessional subscription is not an end in itself but that which assists the church to manifest a lively faith and faithful living, he demonstrated and linked differences between the ELCA and LCMS to historical development and contemporary discovery, said the secretaries.
Seastrand called particular attention to the ELCA's distinction between the doctrine of the gospel and other doctrines, noting -- on the other hand -- how the LCMS has made doctrine and all its articles determinative for identity and practice. He related this basic difference between the church bodies to differing positions regarding Holy Scripture and subscription to the Lutheran Confessions, and to the extent of agreement necessary for church fellowship, the secretaries said.
Two other papers addressed the meeting's second topic, "Authorization of Sacramental Ministries for Congregations Without Pastors."
The Rev. Stanley N. Olson, bishop of the ELCA's Southwestern Minnesota Synod, provided an overview of official documents of the ELCA in his paper, "Policy, Practice and Issues in the ELCA." He called attention to efforts in some of the ELCA's 65 synods to identify people who may be authorized in special circumstances for Word and Sacrament ministry. He also provided a list of "Questions, Trends and Issues" for discussion by the panel and the church at large, said the secretaries' report.
The Rev. Robert T. Kuhn, LCMS first vice president, in his paper, "Authorization of Sacramental Ministries for Congregations Without Pastors," gave an overview of societal developments that have resulted in current concerns in all Christian denominations, specifically cultural and population changes and shifts, an increased immigration of ethnic groups, and a reduction in the number of available clergy.
Kuhn shared in detail a model that is being discussed in the LCMS as a result of a convention-mandated study, also noting questions and concerns that are being raised in its regard, said the report. He called attention to other potential solutions, including unique arrangements already being tried in the church and the need for renewed effort in the recruitment of church workers.
The presentations of papers were followed by discussion of their content. Suggested topics for the next meeting were discussed but will be decided later.
The group's first meeting was June 14-15, 1999, in Chicago. The third and last of the scheduled meetings will be held Oct. 2-3 at the Lutheran Center of the ELCA in Chicago.
A convention of the LCMS in July 1998 expressed "deep regret and profound disagreement with" two ecumenical decisions made by the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. One established full communion with three Reformed churches, the other adopted a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church.
The LCMS convention pledged support for the Missouri Synod's president, the Rev. Alvin L. Barry, "as he continues to work together with the presiding bishop of the ELCA in arranging for discussion of these issues between representatives of our two church bodies."
"We have come to these conversations for different reasons," the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said after the February meeting.
"Those of us from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America want to look for ways to reduce mistrust and misunderstanding. The representatives of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are under mandate from their last convention to express their 'profound disagreement' with our recent ecumenical actions," he said.
"As a result, we try to balance the discussion between topics on which we differ and topics in which we have a common interest," said Anderson.

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