ELCA Ecumenical, Interfaith Work Enters New Phase

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Ecumenical and interfaith relationships
are significant ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), which maintains full communion agreements with
five Protestant churches and the possibility of another in 17
months. With new leadership in its churchwide ecumenical and
interfaith section, the ELCA -- often described as a "bridge"
church seeking to build connections with other Christian churches
-- is assessing where it wants to go now and in the future.
Since the late 1990s the ELCA has been in full communion
with the Episcopal Church, Moravian Church in America,
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and the
United Church of Christ. This month, the United Methodist Church
General Conference will vote on a full communion proposal with
the ELCA. If adopted, the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is
expected to take up the same proposal.
Full communion means the churches will work for visible
unity in Jesus Christ, recognize each other's ministries, work
together on a variety of ministry initiatives, and, under certain
circumstances, provide for the interchangeability of professional
leaders. Understanding each other's ministry has been an
important part of the early "nurturing" of full communion
relationships, said the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, executive
director, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.
"The ELCA has had a vision that continues to evolve," he
said in an interview with the ELCA News Service. "I think we're
entering into another phase where we need to look at things we
have done together (that) can be affirmed and what things we can
yet do. (Those) are in the area of outreach, ministry, education,
mission planning, cooperation ... there are just endless
possibilities."
Earlier this year McCoid and the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA
presiding bishop, acting in his role as the ELCA chief ecumenical
officer, called together a variety of Lutheran academics,
bishops, pastors, lay leaders and staff to assess what the ELCA
has accomplished and to offer advice on future ecumenical and
interfaith directions.
The leaders discussed funding concerns, educational
initiatives, relationships with Christian churches, interfaith
relationships, participation in various ecumenical and interfaith
councils and organizations, future directions and theological
dialogues. They also discussed planning for significant events
such as the 10th anniversary in 2009 of the signing of the Joint
Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification by representatives
of the Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican, and the 500th
anniversary in 2017 of the beginnings of the Protestant
Reformation.
The ELCA's work in ecumenical, and more recently interfaith,
circles, is guided by a document adopted by the 1991 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly, "A Declaration of Ecumenical Commitment: A
Policy Statement of the ELCA," which committed the ELCA "to
pursue the goal of full communion." Also guiding the church's
ecumenical and interfaith ministry is a strategic direction of
the ELCA churchwide organization, which commits it to "deepen and
extend global, ecumenical and interfaith relationships."
Consultation participants evaluated participation in
councils, bilateral dialogues, "and tried to justify why such
work should continue," McCoid said. Generally the advisors
recommended the church continue with theological conversations,
bilateral discussions and involvement within councils, McCoid
said, "but we do so with the idea that it's all right to look at
the rationale for why we are doing this, and the areas of concern
that exist."
"A foremost challenge" for the ELCA is to move from
Churchwide Assembly actions on full communion to "ecumenical
reception," said the Rev. William G. Rusch, lecturer in Lutheran
church history and polity, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn.
Rusch is also former executive director, ELCA Department for
Ecumenical Affairs, and was a consultation participant.
"Is the ELCA with its partners really prepared to make these
decisions a part of its faith and life, especially as it
struggles with ethical decisions that will impact its own
life?" he asked. Rusch also said the ELCA cannot at the same
time be in dialogue and full communion with everyone. "It is not
a case that some are more important than others, but given the
limits of resources what is possible? I have confidence that this
can and will be done with the present leadership," Rusch said.
Challenges for ELCA ecumenical and interfaith work are to
keep up momentum without losing focus and "be clear why we are
doing what we are doing (and) how it relates to our mission as
the ELCA," said the Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop, ELCA Montana
Synod, Great Falls, and consultation participant.
"I would hope that we would deepen existing relationships,
and continue to establish new ones," Crist added. "We can be in
full communion with some groups and in cautious conversation with
others. Ecumenical and interfaith relations is not a specialized
ministry. It is the blueprint for living in God's world."
The Rev. Scott G. Cady, Manchester, Conn., is president of
the Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives Network, consisting of
appointed lay members and clergy who carry out ecumenical
activity in their synods. He agreed that developing focus and
communicating a vision to members are challenges for ecumenical
and interfaith work.
"If our seminaries and candidacy committees and call
committees make ecumenical (and) interreligious work part of
their routine expectation, we may see a renewed effect all
through the church," Cady said.
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Information about ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious
Relations is at http://www.ELCA.org/ecumenical/ on the ELCA Web
site.


For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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