wfn.org | Lutheran-Episcopal committee outlines tasks in implementing full communion

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jsolheim@dfms.org

2001-5

Lutheran-Episcopal committee outlines tasks in implementing full communion

by James Solheim

     (ENS) Drawing on the energy of a three-hour Epiphany service at the National 
Cathedral celebrating full communion between Lutherans and Episcopalians, a joint 
coordinating committee rolled up its sleeves and got down to the hard work of 
making it all happen.

     Charged with the practical tasks of implementing the full communion 
relationship that began officially January 1, the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating 
Committee spent most of its first meeting exploring areas where the two churches 
are already cooperating and identifying ways to encourage further cooperation.

     In what amounts to a "vision statement," the 14-member committee unanimously 
adopted a charter at its January 8-9 meeting in Washington, based on the mandate 
established for its work in "Called to Common Mission" that said "its purpose 
will be consultative, to facilitate mutual support and advice as well as common 
decision-making through appropriate channels…"

     In a statement issued after the meeting, the committee identified some 
immediate goals, including a closer look at local and global mission; the 
exchange of clergy, including ordination, and the ministry of the laity; 
communication regarding new ordinations and installations; and worship resources.

     Full communion was adopted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 
(ELCA) at its Churchwide Assembly in 1999 and by the Episcopal Church's General 
Convention in 2000. It commits the two churches to wide-ranging cooperation in 
mission at the local and national level and provides for interchangeability of 
clergy. In its most controversial provision, CCM also calls for Lutherans to 
adopt the historic episcopate, a sign of continuity going back to the earliest 
days of the church.

Building trust

     Because the agreement still has opposition in the ELCA, one of the first 
tasks in helping the two churches live into full communion will be to "encourage 
the development of new levels of trust, cooperation and mission," as well as plan 
and support cooperative ministries and communicate those ministries to the 
churches, using a web site established by the committee on the denominational web 
pages. 	

     "This committee knows we will work with complex matters," said the final 
statement. "We are committed to exploring how we can live through complexities 
into the full communion with full appreciation of all voices."

     Addressing what someone called "the elephant in the room," the committee 
discussed the issue of possible exceptions to the ordination requirements in the 
CCM document that calls for only bishops to ordain clergy, which has not always 
been the case in the ELCA. 

     After a thorough discussion, the committee decided that it was not its role 
to comment on the possibility of a by-law to the ELCA constitution that would 
provide for exceptions--at least not at this time. The ELCA Church Council will 
look at the issue when it meets in April. The Episcopal Church has stated its 
position that clergy ordained by someone other than a bishop would not be 
interchangeable in its parishes.

Faithful catalysts

      "This was a wonderful, impressive coalescence of gifts and voices committed 
to new life together for the sake of witness and mission," said the Lutheran co-
chair, the Rev. Duane Larson, president of Wartburg Seminary in Iowa.

     The Episcopal co-chair, Dean Donald Brown of Sacramento, California, agreed, 
adding that he was "very impressed with the passion expressed by committee 
members."

      "We are seeking to be faithful catalysts, aware that there are many other 
voices," added Larson. The co-chairs invite members of both churches to join in 
the efforts for more cooperative ministry. 

     Larson said that the priorities listed by the committee will "make for a 
full plate in the months and years ahead--but they speak to a sense of vision and 
renewed witness."

     The Rev. David Perry, deputy for ecumenical relations in the Episcopal 
Church, said that the committee "represents the rich and abundant resources of 
our churches." Although the committee faces a large task ahead, he is convinced 
"we have the necessary resources to answer the call to common mission, with the 
support of the Holy Spirit."

     Among the joint mission opportunities, the committee listed multi-
culturalism, seminary education, youth ministry, service programs such as hunger 
and disaster response, camps and conference centers, world mission, 
congregational development, catechesis, linking with dioceses and synods around 
the world, and support for lay ministry.

     The committee will hold future meetings in areas where there is already 
cooperation or there are mission possibilities. It set tentative dates for June 
in Salt Lake City and next February in Miami.

     ELCA committee members:

     Terry Bowes of Colorado

     The Rev. Nancy Curtis of Pennsylvania

     Bishop Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl of South Dakota

     The Rev. Gregory Villalon of Illinois

     The Rev. Norman Wahl of Minnesota

     Bishop Ronald Warren of Georgia

     Staff: The Rev. Dan Martensen (Department for Ecumenical Affairs); the Rev. 
Randall Lee of the ELCA's Office of the Secretary

ECUSA committee members:

     The Rev. Grant Abbott of Minnesota

     Bishop Leopold Frade of Southeast Florida

     The Rev. Alfred Moss Jr. of Virginia

     Emily Perow of Connecticut

     Midge Roof of Indiana

     Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish of Utah

     Staff: The Rev. David Perry, deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of News and Information.