wfn.org | Lutheran and Episcopal seminaries enthused about ministry

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

For more information contact:
Kathryn McCormick
kmccormick@dfms.org
212/922-5383
http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens
2000-054

Lutheran and Episcopal seminaries enthusiastic about shared 
ministry

by Bruce Parker

     (ENS) More than 100 Episcopalian and Lutheran participants 
gathered on February 29 and March 1 at The General Theological 
Seminary in New York City for a major conference on the future 
shape of shared ministry in an urban setting. Sponsored by GTS 
and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, "Common 
Mission in the City" drew sizable numbers of seminarians and 
professors from both schools, along with the administrative 
leaders of both institutions.

     The conference began with the Holy Eucharist on the evening 
of February 29 at which Bishop Steven Bouman of the Lutheran New 
York Metropolitan Synod was the preacher. Following dinner, the 
conference formally opened with a lecture by the Rev. Philip D.W. 
Krey, president of the Lutheran seminary.

     The following day participants heard from a variety of noted 
congregational clergy and from faculty members from both 
seminaries. Afternoon workshops were held on subjects including 
Liturgy and Spirituality, Social Witness, and Diaconal 
ministries.

New lessons

     "We need to get on with common mission," said Krey in his 
opening address, "because God has placed a whole new set of 
issues before us....We need to be ready for the new lessons that 
full communion, shared ministry, and common mission will bring." 
With success stories of cooperative ministries from the Rocky 
Mountains to Philadelphia illustrating his remarks, Krey insisted 
that churches with a state church heritage--which both the 
Episcopal and Lutheran churches share--are also called to urban 
mission because they expect and insist that municipal, state, and 
federal structures provide services to their constituents.

     "Many Lutheran and Episcopal churches have remained in our 
depressed urban communities after other mainline churches have 
left," he said.

     While being careful not to minimize the importance of 
theological discussion, Krey said he believes U.S. culture is 
experiencing a religious revival and that the opportunity for the 
increased evangelism offered by common mission with theological 
depth must not be missed. Exciting and productive forms of 
cooperative ministries are going on right now, he asserted, and 
they must continue and grow.

Historic celebration

     Following presentations by Archdeacon Michael Kendall of the 
Episcopal Diocese of New York, and the Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-
White, an LTSP professor, participants gathered in the seminary's 
chapel, which was filled almost to capacity for a historic 
celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

     Krey was the celebrant and Mark Sisk, bishop coadjutor of 
New York, was the preacher. The liturgy symbolized the 
seminaries' growing cooperation, marking the first time the 
Lutheran Book of Worship had been used in the Episcopal chapel's 
112-year history. "The enthusiasm for shared ministry between our 
churches has been strongly present throughout this conference," 
said General's dean, the Very Rev. Ward B. Ewing. "We hope events 
like this will help to generate similar enthusiasm throughout our 
churches."

     In 1998, General signed a seminary covenant with LTSP, which 
committed the schools to jointly plan academic and social justice 
programs.

     Plans for a joint Hispanic ministry between the seminaries 
are currently underway.

--Bruce Parker is director of communications for The General 
Theological Seminary.