wfn.org | ELCA-LCMS Discussion Panel Holds Second of Three Meetings

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 14, 2000

ELCA-LCMS DISCUSSION PANEL HOLDS SECOND OF THREE MEETINGS
00-056-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA)-- Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)
discussed theological differences between the two churches, especially
based on how they interpret Scriptures, and ways Lutheran congregations
without pastors can celebrate the Christian sacraments.
     The panel of 10 members from each church met Feb. 14-15 at the
International Center of the LCMS in St. Louis.  Reporters and other
observers were excluded from the meeting.  The secretaries of the two
church bodies prepared a communique which presented the content of the
meeting.
     The Rev. Raymond L. Hartwig, LCMS secretary, provided the first
paper, "Understanding the Different Theologies Under Which We Function."
After underscoring the oneness that is shared by the two church bodies,
he described key theological positions, key theological differences and
how these differences demonstrate themselves in the two church bodies
today, the secretaries reported.
     The "different theologies" Hartwig highlighted were those also
identified in a 1978 study document by the former Lutheran Council in
the USA: the agreement needed for church fellowship, subscription to the
Lutheran Confessions, the authority of the Scriptures and the differing
roles being assumed by the LCMS and ELCA in the world today.  The
Lutheran Council included the LCMS and churches which formed the ELCA in
1988.
     The Rev. Patricia J. Lull, director for campus ministry, ELCA
Division for Higher Education and Schools, addressed similar topics with
her paper, "The Authority of Scripture: Two Views."  She cited various
public statements of the two denominations to illustrate their common
understandings and confessions regarding the Scriptures, the secretaries
reported.
     Lull identified also where understandings regarding the authority
of Scripture markedly diverge.  The ELCA understands this authority to
rest upon the dynamic message of the Bible, she said, while the LCMS has
made the theological decision to locate the authority of Scripture not
only in the message but in the text itself.  This difference
demonstrates itself in the differing ways that doctrinal uniformity is
understood as a prerequisite to cooperation in church life, said Lull.
     The Rev. Paul J. Seastrand, First English Lutheran Church (ELCA),
Billings, Mont., addressed the topic "Confessional Subscription and
Church Fellowship in the ELCA and in the LCMS."  Asserting that
confessional subscription is not an end in itself but that which assists
the church to manifest a lively faith and faithful living, he
demonstrated and linked differences between the ELCA and LCMS to
historical development and contemporary discovery, said the secretaries.
     Seastrand called particular attention to the ELCA's distinction
between the doctrine of the gospel and other doctrines, noting -- on the
other hand -- how the LCMS has made doctrine and all its articles
determinative for identity and practice.  He related this basic
difference between the church bodies to differing positions regarding
Holy Scripture and subscription to the Lutheran Confessions, and to the
extent of agreement necessary for church fellowship, the secretaries
said.
     Two other papers addressed the meeting's second topic,
"Authorization of Sacramental Ministries for Congregations Without
Pastors."
     The Rev. Stanley N. Olson, bishop of the ELCA's Southwestern
Minnesota Synod, provided an overview of official documents of the ELCA
in his paper, "Policy, Practice and Issues in the ELCA."  He called
attention to efforts in some of the ELCA's 65 synods to identify people
who may be authorized in special circumstances for Word and Sacrament
ministry.  He also provided a list of "Questions, Trends and Issues" for
discussion by the panel and the church at large, said the secretaries'
report.
     The Rev. Robert T. Kuhn, LCMS first vice president, in his paper,
"Authorization of Sacramental Ministries for Congregations Without
Pastors," gave an overview of societal developments that have resulted
in current concerns in all Christian denominations, specifically
cultural and population changes and shifts, an increased immigration of
ethnic groups, and a reduction in the number of available clergy.
     Kuhn shared in detail a model that is being discussed in the LCMS
as a result of a convention-mandated study, also noting questions and
concerns that are being raised in its regard, said the report.  He
called attention to other potential solutions, including unique
arrangements already being tried in the church and the need for renewed
effort in the recruitment of church workers.
     The presentations of papers were followed by discussion of their
content.  Suggested topics for the next meeting were discussed but will
be decided later.
     The group's first meeting was June 14-15, 1999, in Chicago.  The
third and last of the scheduled meetings will be held Oct. 2-3 at the
Lutheran Center of the ELCA in Chicago.
     A convention of the LCMS in July 1998 expressed "deep regret and
profound disagreement with" two ecumenical decisions made by the 1997
ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  One established full communion with three
Reformed churches, the other adopted a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine
of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church.
     The LCMS convention pledged support for the Missouri Synod's
president, the Rev. Alvin L. Barry, "as he continues to work together
with the presiding bishop of the ELCA in arranging for discussion of
these issues between representatives of our two church bodies."
     "We have come to these conversations for different reasons," the
Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said after the
February meeting.
     "Those of us from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America want
to look for ways to reduce mistrust and misunderstanding.  The
representatives of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are under mandate
from their last convention to express their 'profound disagreement' with
our recent ecumenical actions," he said.
     "As a result, we try to balance the discussion between topics on
which we differ and topics in which we have a common interest," said
Anderson.

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