CHICAGO (ELCA) As part of its historic full communion agreement with The Episcopal Church, the next step for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is to name appointees to a joint commission that will administer the pact, said the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop.
"Although we have kept our representation to three on similar committees with our other partner churches, this time we may increase the number to five or six to widen the representation," Anderson said. The commission will oversee implementation of the agreement, known as "Called to Common Mission" (CCM).
CCM was adopted overwhelmingly by the Episcopal Church at its General Convention this month in Denver. The same proposal was adopted 716-317 at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August 1999, also in Denver.
Full communion is not a merger, but a relationship of closer cooperation between the churches. CCM opens the door for a variety of cooperative ministries, and under certain circumstances, allows clergy from one church body to serve congregations of the other.
Another step for the ELCA is for its Church Council to review the variety of proposals and suggestions for constitutional amendments regarding CCM that some synods approved at their assemblies this summer, Anderson said. The council functions as the ELCA's board of directors between churchwide assemblies.
"These actions seek to modify the implications and implementation of full communion," he said. "By November, the Church Council will need to decide how that variety can best be organized for the consideration of our next churchwide assembly."
Earlier this year, the ELCA Church Council established Jan. 1, 2001, as the implementation date for CCM, subject to its adoption by the Episcopal Church. Both churches also announced that on Jan. 6, 2001, they will celebrate the beginning of full communion with a joint worship service at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
Noting there will be many local CCM celebrations, Anderson urged ELCA members not to wait "to get in touch with Episcopalians in your own neighborhood."
"We can pray together now for the welfare of our congregations and the advancement of God's mission," the presiding bishop said.
In addition to the Episcopal Church, the ELCA is in full communion with four other churches. They are the Moravian Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ.
"If this new partnership (with Episcopalians) develops as the others have, we will discover many ways that we can help each other in mission," Anderson added. -- -- --
Anderson made his comments in the July 15 installment of "Dial Bishop Anderson," his regular message to ELCA members. The message is available on the ELCA Web site at http://www.elca.org/ob/dial.html or by telephone through the end of July at 773-380-2930.
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
