wfn.org | Lutheran Baptism and Holy Communion to Reflect Real-life Experiences

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 16, 1997

LUTHERAN BAPTISM AND HOLY COMMUNION
TO REFLECT REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES
97-CA-09-MR

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America will practice Baptism and Holy Communion that
is "rooted in the real-life experience of word and sacrament, the
means of grace, as they are administered across a large and
diverse church," said the Rev. Wyvetta Bullock.  She is the
executive director for the ELCA's Division for Congregational
Ministries.
     Bullock introduced "The Use of the Means of Grace: A
Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament" to more than
1,000 voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly -- the
church's chief legislative body -- gathered at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center Aug. 14-20.  The statement must be adopted by
the assembly to become an official statement of the ELCA.
     The Lutheran church recognizes the Lord's Supper and Baptism
as sacraments -- sacred acts instituted by Jesus Christ.  The
document's four major parts are The Proclamation of the Word,
Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, and the Means of Grace and
Christian Mission.
     "The sacramental practice statement is as significant as the
ecumenical proposals put forth at this assembly, in terms of the
impact in the life of our ELCA congregations," said the Rev.
George P. Mocko, bishop of the ELCA's Delaware-Maryland synod.
     Voting members explored the specifics of the proposed
statement at three one-hour hearings yesterday, with members of
the statement's task force available to field questions and
comments.
     The statement's section on Holy Communion, particularly
issues around the communion of children, received more comments
from participants at the hearings than the other four sections.
The practice of communing young children varies throughout the
church.  Mobility has been cited as a practical concern as
congregations attempt to welcome as new members, children who may
already be communing while children in the hosts congregation do
not.
     The statement says, "Out of mutual respect among
congregations, children who are communing members of a
congregation of this church who move to a congregation with a
different practice should be received as communing members. They
and their parents also should be respectful of the traditions and
practices of their new congregation."
     "Children know they are being excluded," said the Rev. Julie
Hart, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Springfield, Ill.  "One
thing small children, and even infants, understand is that when
family gathers around the table, with the understanding that Holy
Communion is God's family meal for God's people, they know they
are not being fed.   Why are mommy and daddy being fed and am I
not?' As pastor, I see the look of confusion and disappoint in
their eyes.  So, I am very happy with what the statement says,"
said Hart.
     A woman from the plenary floor said, "If you tell a child,
 Jesus feeds the hungry,' then you will have children put out
their hands.  They, too, want to experience the presence of God."
     "The statement seeks to encourage study and discussion of
the sacraments in the congregations of this church and increase
teaching about the sacraments by the bishops and pastors of this
church," said Bullock.
     "The call for a statement on sacramental practices began
with a request from the ELCA's Conference of Bishops, as well as
from several ELCA synods to the 1989 Churchwide Assembly," said
Bullock.  "In 1992 the ELCA's Church Council designated the
Division for Congregational Ministries as the lead ELCA unit for
the development of the statement.  A task force was then
appointed to carry out this work," she said.
     In an interview the Rev. Paul R. Nelson, ELCA director for
worship, said that voting members at the assembly have a big
responsibility.  "This will be their opportunity to decide
whether the statement actually reflects what they want the church
to say about sacramental practices.  They also have a right to
alter it, if they choose to do that."  If it is adopted
educational programs for the church will begin "for the teaching
at all levels."
     "The most revolutionary piece in the statement is the accent
on the role of sponsors ... and parents of children and adults
who are coming to Baptism, and the idea that congregations are
encouraged to select at least one sponsor from among
congregational members for each candidate," said the Rev. Gordon
W. Lathrop, professor of liturgics and chaplain, Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Philadelphia -- a seminary of the ELCA.
"That is a really an interesting idea; it is a suggestion towards
unity.  It is not required, but it is an idea of encouragement.
Baptism is a one time thing, but it takes a lifetime to do it,"
he said.
     The statement says, "Both adults and infants benefit from
having baptismal sponsors.  The primary role of the sponsors is
to guide and accompany the candidates and/or their family in the
process of instruction and Baptism.  They help the baptized join
in the life and work of the community of believers for the sake
of the world."
     "The hearings reflected what we learned also in the written
conference of the first draft of the statement.  That is, people
told us over and over again that they appreciate the chance to be
serious about the sacraments; they talk to one another about them
and to engage in conversation about something that really matters
to them," said Nelson.  "Having a room of ELCA Lutherans who are
committed to such serious considerations of these questions
related to the sacramental practices was the highlight of these
hearings," he said.
     The assembly will vote on the statement the morning of Aug.
19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html