wfn.org | Policies Recommended for ELCA-Reformed Sharing of Clergy

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 26, 1998

POLICIES RECOMMENDED FOR ELCA-REFORMED SHARING OF CLERGY
98-063-DM

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
is a step closer to implementing a key element of its new relationship with
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United
Church of Christ.  The board of the ELCA Division for Ministry met here
March 12-14 and recommended policies and procedures for the availability of
clergy between the ELCA and each of the Reformed churches in full
communion.
     Assemblies of the ELCA and the three Reformed churches approved "A
Formula of Agreement," a proposal for full communion, in 1997.
Presbyteries officially ratified the relationship on March 11.  A festival
worship service at Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel on Oct. 4 will formally
declare the churches in full communion.
     The board of the ELCA Division for Ministry recommended that the ELCA
Church Council approve "Policy and Procedures Related to the Availability
of Ordained Ministers between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
and Church Bodies with which there is a Relationship of Full Communion"
when it meets in April.
     The document cites three bases on which ordained ministers of one of
the Reformed church bodies might serve an ELCA congregation: short-term,
long-term or permanent.  An ELCA synod bishop could authorize such a pastor
to preach or administer the sacraments on an occasional basis or for an
extended period of time.  A pastor who would like to serve an ELCA
congregation indefinitely could apply for admission to the roster of ELCA
pastors.
     An ELCA pastor authorized to serve a congregation of another "full
communion" church body temporarily would remain a Lutheran pastor "upon the
recommendation of the synodical bishop and by action of the synod council
in the synod in which the ordained minister is listed on the roster."
     Board discussion of the document focused on questions of discipline
and accountability. The procedures state that ordained Lutheran ministers
serving other church bodies are accountable to the synod where they are
rostered.
     In response to another action of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly that
the division "participate in the development and use of models of
conversation and continuing moral deliberation," the board discussed
questions related to homosexuality and rostered ministry.  Dr. Nelvin L.
Vos, board chair, said the assembly asked the board "to discuss ways we can
provide a climate in which we are willing and able to have a conversation
about this question."
     "We are not being asked to move in new policy directions," he added,
"but to help develop models of conversation for our constituencies --
candidacy committees, seminaries, continuing education centers and rostered
leaders."  Vos is a professor of English at Muhlenberg College, Allentown,
Pa.
     The board made a list of 17 questions, most of which focused on
issues of biblical and theological interpretation related to homosexuality.
Several members said the question of whether the church can ever bless gay
and lesbian unions needs to be decided before the question of ordination
can be seriously considered because of the ELCA's insistence on abstinence
for non-married clergy.
      "It is not in the purview of the division to examine marriage," said
the Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director of the ELCA Division for
Ministry.  He asked the board to look specifically at the assembly's
directive.  "Our focus is on standards for rostered ministry," he said.
     The board will continue this discussion at its October meeting.
     Wagner reported that the Fund for Leaders in Mission, established at
the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, has received a $1 million grant from Lutheran
Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans.  "This is the first time the
fraternals have funded a proposal together," he said.
     The fund's long-term goal is to establish a financial base that will
defray tuition costs for candidates preparing for rostered ministry in the
ELCA. The $1 million gift will establish the fund's infrastructure, said
the Rev. Donald M. Hallberg, executive director of the ELCA Foundation.
Current plans call for a director, associate director and a communication
officer to be in place by this fall.
     In other action, the board officially installed four new staff
members: the Rev. Richard J. Bruesehoff, director for leadership support;
Carol L. Schickel, director for candidacy; the Rev. Donald A. Stiger,
director for specialized pastoral care and associate director for
candidacy; and the Rev. Gregory J. Villalon, director for multicultural
leadership development.
     It also expressed "profound gratitude" to the Rev. Phyllis B.
Anderson for more than 10 years of service as the ELCA's first director for
theological education.  In April she will become the first director of the
Institute for Ecumenical Theological Studies at Seattle University's School
of Theology and Ministry.

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