wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Ends on Note of Reconciliation

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 22, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY ENDS ON NOTE OF RECONCILIATION
99-CWA-62-FI

     DENVER (ELCA) -- The closing minutes of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) 1999 Churchwide Assembly were spent addressing
concerns that linger across the ELCA after an intense debate over a
proposal to enter a relationship of full communion with The Episcopal
Church.  The assembly approved the proposal Aug. 19.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, met Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center.  There were
more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,038 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly was "Making Christ Known:
Hope for a New Century."
     Full communion means that churches recognize each other's
ministries, agree to work closely together in mission and allow for the
exchange of clergy.  The assembly approved the Lutheran full-communion
proposal, "Called to Common Mission," by a vote of 716 to 317.
     "A significant minority in this hall is in a state of grief," the
Rev. John E. Fahning, an interim pastor of the ELCA Minneapolis Area
Synod, told the assembly Aug. 22.  "I saw the church I thought I knew
blown away."
     Referring to a prophet of the Bible, Fahning said, "When Elijah
suffered defeat after victory, he fled to the wilderness and sat down
under a solitary broom tree and asked God that he might die.
     "I do have a maple tree.  I am going to sit down under it and read
Psalm 115: 'I praise the Lord.  We will bless the Lord from this time on
and forever more.'  Some of us are scattered like sheep without a
shepherd.  We will live lost into Christ," said Fahning.
     The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, responded, "I
should like to say to you and all those who do not support 'Called to
Common Mission,' I know where your heart is.  I know you cherish your
involvement in the church."
     A key point in the debate was the prominence Lutheran bishops
would realize when the ELCA incorporates the "historic episcopate" of
the Episcopal Church.  Those opposed to the proposal argued that placing
Lutheran bishops in an Anglican succession of bishops back to the
earliest days of the Christian church would detract from the Lutheran
principle of "the priesthood of all believers."
     "I know you envision a church where its members, especially lay
members, will have a greater role," said Anderson.  "You want mission
more than structure."
     Another element of the debate was whether or not entering into
full communion with the Episcopal Church would limit the ELCA's
ecumenical activities with other Christian denominations which do not
have the historic episcopate.
     Anderson told Fahning and those who opposed the proposal, "You are
ready to reach out to other churches."
     "I thank you for being champions of these priorities," said the
bishop.  "I pledge to you to do all I can to achieve them."

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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