wfn.org | Lutheran Assembly to Convene in Denver

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

13-August-1999 
99259 
 
    Lutheran Assembly to Convene in Denver 
 
    Full Communion with Episcopals Tops Aug. 16-22 Agenda 
 
    by John R. Brooks 
    ELCA director for news and information 
 
CHICAGO-Voting members to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 
Churchwide Assembly Aug. 16-22 in Denver are expected to act on proposed 
full communion agreements with two Protestant churches - the Episcopal 
Church and the Moravian Church in America - as well as elect a new editor 
for "The Lutheran," the magazine of the ELCA, and consider a proposed 
social statement on economic life. 
 
    About 2,300 people - including 1,039 voting members - are registered 
for the biennial Assembly.  The theme is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a 
New Century."  The Rev. George H. Anderson, presiding bishop of the 5.2 
million-member ELCA, will chair the Assembly. 
 
      Fate of Full Communion Agreement with Episcopals is Up In the Air 
 
    A significant issue before the Assembly and one which has generated 
some controversy in the ELCA, is the proposed full communion agreement - 
"Called to Common Mission" (CCM) - with the 2.5 million-member Episcopal 
Church.  It is a revision of the "Concordat of Agreement," a full communion 
proposal that fell six votes short of the required two-thirds for approval 
at the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. 
 
    Lutherans and Episcopalians agree on the doctrine of apostolic 
succession, an ongoing faithful proclamation of Christ.  Episcopalians 
bring to the relationship the "historic episcopate," a succession of 
bishops as a sign of unity back to the earliest days of the Christian 
church.  If CCM is approved, the ELCA will incorporate the historic 
episcopate.  Many critics oppose this CCM provision. 
 
    The Episcopal doctrine of the historic episcopate has also been a 
stumbling block to full communion agreements developed by the Consultation 
on Church Union (COCU).  The ELCA is not a member of COCU. 
 
    This spring and summer, CCM was discussed at most of the ELCA's 64 
synod assemblies and many assemblies voted on non-binding resolutions. 
Twenty-five synods adopted resolutions supporting CCM and four adopted 
resolutions specifically rejecting it. 
 
    Many synods also considered an alternative proposal known as the 
Mahtomedi Resolution, so named because it was developed by CCM opponents at 
a conference earlier this year in Mahtomedi, Minn.  It recommended that the 
Churchwide Assembly reject CCM, reaffirm a commitment to work together with 
the Episcopal Church under the guidelines of an interim agreement adopted 
in 1982 and welcome Episcopal clergy to serve in ELCA congregations 
"consistent with the ELCA's Confession of Faith" in the ELCA constitution. 
 
    Seventeen synods adopted the Mahtomedi Resolution, two passes similar 
resolutions supporting ecumenical relations without the historic 
episcopate, and 15 synods specifically rejected the resolution. 
 
    To be approved at the Churchwide Assembly, CCM must be adopted by a 
two-thirds vote. 
 
    The Assembly will also consider "Following Our Shepherd to Full 
Communion," a full communion agreement with the 49,000-member Moravian 
Church in America.  These full communion agreements fall on the heels of a 
similar agreement approved by the 1997 Assembly establishing full communion 
between the ELCA and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church 
in America and the United Church of Christ. 
 
                       "The Lutheran" to Get a New Editor 
 
    The Rev. David L. Miller, 46, is the nominee expected to considered for 
election by the Churchwide Assembly as the new editor of "The Lutheran," 
the magazine of the ELCA.  Miller is currently senior editor of the 
magazine. 
 
    If elected, he will succeed the Rev. Edgar R. Trexler, who has served 
as editor of "The Lutheran" since the ELCA's inception in 1988, and for 
many years before that in a predecessor Lutheran denomination.  He 
announced his retirement earlier this year.  The magazine's circulation is 
about 625,000 - the largest among denominational publications in the United 
States.  For example, "Presbyterians Today," the magazine of the PC(USA) 
has a circulation of about 85,000. 
 
                 Numerous Social Issues also on the Docket 
 
    The Assembly is scheduled to hear several reports on social issues. 
Among them are: 
 
    * a proposal for development of a social statement on health care 
      disabilities ministry and deaf ministry 
      women and children living in poverty 
 
    * gay and lesbian issues - a summary report was authorized by the 1997 
Assembly 
 
    * the 25th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger Appeal, the fund-raising 
arm of the church's hunger program. 
 
Editor's Note: Because the PC(USA) is in full communion with the ELCA, the 
Presbyterian News Service will be providing extensive coverage of the ELCA 
Churchwide Assembly. - Jerry L. Van Marter 

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