wfn.org | Lutherans address opponents of full communion

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2000-003

Lutherans address opponents of full communion with Episcopalians

by James Solheim

     (ENS) Lutheran opponents to a proposal for full communion 
between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the 
Episcopal Church have organized and demanded that church leaders 
address their concerns.

     About 400 delegates from 21 states gathered in St. Paul last 
November to organize as Word Alone, arguing that an acceptance of 
the historic episcopate by Lutherans, a major point in the 
"Called to Common Mission" (CCM) proposal passed by the ELCA 
Churchwide Assembly last summer, contradicts the doctrine that 
the word of God and proper administration of the sacraments are 
sufficient for salvation. They argue that CCM threatens Lutheran 
identity, seriously changing the role of bishops and diminishing 
the role of laity.

     The delegates emerged from a series of 45 regional meetings 
last fall attended by about 2,200 people who have reservations 
about CCM. More regional meetings are planned, culminating in a 
national conference in March to determine the shape and direction 
of the organization.

     Although some delegates said they would leave the ELCA if 
the proposal were implemented, most delegates favored remaining 

in the ELCA to engage in "active opposition" in an attempt to block 
implementation of the proposal; they did discuss a number 
of alternatives. Among the possibilities they discussed were 
forming a parallel organization with its own roster of clergy and 
congregations opposing CCM; electing bishops who pledge they 
won't comply; cutting financial support for the national church.

     The Rev. Brad Jenson of Duluth called for formation of a new 
Lutheran church "which is solidly confessional" and a new 
seminary to prepare clergy for "non-episcopal ordinations."

     "We will resist, we will not comply," said the Rev. Roger 
Eigenfeld of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, elected to chair the 
organization's steering committee. "We feel the church has walked 
away from us and is not listening." He brushed aside proposals 
for a new church, calling them "incredibly premature and totally 
unnecessary at this point." Yet he admitted that "eventually 
we're going to have to decide if it's worth the effort to fight 
for the church or to go our own way."

Addressing concerns

     Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson of the ELCA met with 
Eigenfeld in December at the church offices in Chicago to discuss 
the issue. Both expressed eagerness to foster genuine dialogue 
and avoid further confrontation. Eigenfeld said that many Word 
Alone members aren't sure there is a place for them in the ELCA. 
"If this church is going to wait around for two years to take 
care of a sore, it's too late," he said referring to the biennial 
Churchwide Assembly's next meeting.

     In adopting CCM the church made a serious decision, Anderson 
pointed out, knowing that there would be opposition. "As a 
church, we are concerned about those people and their 
consciences. We are prepared to listen, but we are not at the 
point that we will grant exceptions to an action the church has 
taken," he said.

     Anderson attended regional meetings of opponents last fall, 
describing them as "tough." He said, "These are really good 
people and they are really mad. We must find a way to address 
their underlying concerns."

     "We are challenged to take action in living into full 
communion with other churches which will move us onto terrain yet 
unexplored," said the Rev. Daniel Martensen, director of the 
ELCA's Department for Ecumenical Affairs following a meeting last 
fall. The ELCA is in full communion with four other churches--the 
Moravian, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed and United Church 
of Christ.

-James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of 
News and Information.