ELCA and Missouri Synod leaders continue conversations together

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA and Missouri Synod leaders continue conversations together
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>February 20, 2012  

ELCA and Missouri Synod leaders continue conversations together
12-07-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) - Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod met Feb. 8 as the
Committee on Lutheran Cooperation to discuss church-to-church cooperation
and to share denominational updates.

Although leaders of both church bodies have agreed to continue
communication and information sharing as the Committee on Lutheran
Cooperation, leaders from the Missouri Synod said they have ended their
participation in cooperative work, particularly in areas of support for
chaplaincy, response to HIV and AIDS and national coordination of
recovery after disaster.

According to the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, the
ELCA has been committed to being engaged in conversation with the
Missouri Synod.

"Participating in the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation has been a
continued commitment of the ELCA since its formation. We share the
Lutheran confessional witness, an identity of being Lutherans in this
culture, and we have historically shared a commitment to respond to human
need together -- be it the need of refugees or those in the world who are
experiencing disaster and the challenges of development," Hanson said in
an interview.

"Our history, great capacity and generosity as Lutherans in response
to the cries of our neighbors should not be diminished because of our
theological differences," said Hanson.

According to the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, who serves as assistant to
the ELCA presiding bishop on ecumenical and inter-religious
relations, "It has been important for the ELCA that the Committee on
Lutheran Cooperation provide the opportunity for us to engage in
theological conversations on topics such as law and gospel, the authority
and interpretation of scripture, natural law and the confessional basis
for ELCA ecumenical agreements."

While Hanson said he "regrets that The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod has taken action to discontinue our shared ministries, that work
will continue to be a priority for us as the ELCA with existing partners,
and we will continue to look for ways to serve our neighbors with
Lutherans and ecumenical partners," said Hanson.

At the meeting, Missouri Synod President Matthew C. Harrison said
the conclusion of church-to-church work "is very sad." He said there may
be opportunities for engagement at the local level as circumstances
allow, but cooperation on a national level "is no longer possible."

In light of the Missouri Synod's action, the committee appointed a
subgroup to draft a charter for how it will constitute future meetings of
the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation.

Hanson said he is "thankful that the commitment to being in
conversation about our respective church bodies will continue."

The leaders also shared updates regarding their denominations'
ecumenical endeavors, budget and finance, areas of concerns and ministry
focus, and international developments. The committee also received
written reports from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and
Lutheran Services in America.

The ELCA is a 4.2-million-member church based in Chicago. The 2.3-
million-member Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is based in St. Louis.

>---

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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