INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig, secretary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), referred to his church body's convention actions last month concerning the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) when he brought greetings to the ELCA churchwide assembly Aug. 13.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
Hartwig first spoke of "parallel actions" of this year's LCMS convention and ELCA churchwide assembly, as each body has discussed and acted on an array of similar subjects.
He also elaborated on an LCMS convention resolution that, as he said, "affirmed the judgement of our late President Barry that we cannot consider you, the ELCA, to be 'an orthodox Lutheran church body,' given the fact that you have entered into altar and pulpit fellowship -- that is 'full communion" -- with Reformed church bodies, the Episcopal Church and the Moravian Church."
Dr. A.L. Barry was president of the LCMS at the time of his death from an antibiotic-resistant staph infection in March.
The Missouri Synod secretary recounted the words of LCMS President-elect Gerald Kieschnick following the convention action. He quoted Kieschnick that he (Kieschnick) and LCMS convention delegates "would ask the good people of the ELCA not to read into this resolution any sense of smugness or self-righteousness on the part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod."
He continued to quote the LCMS president-elect that the convention action was "out of love" and concern [and] deemed necessary in order to bring to light the significantly different perspectives our two church bodies have on certain theological issues and current-day practices."
"We will continue to be concerned about your willingness to set aside clear scriptural and confessional principles in other areas as well," Hartwig said, mentioning issues of ordination, sanctity of human life and homosexuality.
Hartwig also recalled that his church body's convention resolved "to reach out ... in love and support" to ELCA members who "remain faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
He again quoted Kieschnick that "the adoption of this resolution changes nothing about the Missouri Synod's commitment to continued dialogue with the ELCA, with the very real hope and fervent prayer of one day resolving the differences that separate us."
"Please ... hear us out and receive our concerns as they are intended," Hartwig said. "We in turn will continue to listen to you." -- -- --
Information about assembly action is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
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
