ELCA, North American Lutheran Church leaders meet for the first time

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA, North American Lutheran Church leaders meet for the first time
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>February 15, 2012  

ELCA, North American Lutheran Church leaders meet for the first time
12-05-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) - Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) and the North American Lutheran Church met for the
first time Feb. 6-7 for conversation on areas of disagreement, mutual
interest and concern.

The invitation for the meeting came from the ELCA in response to an
action of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The assembly resolved
to "strive for a mutual relationship, where possible, for both the ELCA"
and the North American Lutheran Church.

In a statement, the representatives said they spent time together in
prayer and in "cordial and candid" conversations.

"This meeting was not intended to, nor did the participants seek to,
resolve issues between the two church bodies," said the
statement. "Rather, the participants sought to share and clarify
disagreements to improve mutual understanding." Conversations also
centered on local mission and ministry.

The Rev. Donald McCoid, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop for
ecumenical and inter-religious relations, delivered an opening statement
at the meeting on behalf of the ELCA:

"We recognize the North American Lutheran Church as a church body
and seek to represent the intent of the ELCA Assembly to be in dialogue
with the North American Lutheran Church and seek to find better
understanding, address concerns that both experience and to see if we can
open communication channels with one another."

In their opening statement, representatives of the North American
Lutheran Church gave thanks to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
for "affirming the need for a conversation and relationship" and pledged
their "goodwill, diligent prayer and commitment to honesty and integrity."

>---

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations across the 50
states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work.
Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's
roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

>For information contact:
>Melissa Ramirez Cooper
>773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org 
>http://www.ELCA.org/news 
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>Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com