wfn.org | ELCA Council Asks Assembly for Endorsement of CUIC Relationship

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 12, 2001

ELCA COUNCIL ASKS ASSEMBLY FOR ENDORSEMENT OF CUIC RELATIONSHIP
01-086-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) asked the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to
accept an invitation for the ELCA to become "a partner in mission and
dialogue" with Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC).  In a separate matter,
the council postponed action on requests for two organizations to be
recognized as independent Lutheran organizations.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as
the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide
assemblies.  The council met here April 6-7.  Assemblies are held every
other year; the next is Aug. 8-14 in Indianapolis.
     CUIC evolved from the former Consultation on Church Union (COCU),
a project for greater unity among nine Protestant bodies.  CUIC churches
include the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Church, International Council of Community Churches, Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), United Church of Christ and United Methodist Church.  The
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may also join, depending on a
vote to be taken at its general assembly this year.
     As a partner in mission and dialogue, the ELCA would send a
delegation to the CUIC inaugural event in January 2002, commit to
combating racism with CUIC churches and become a full participant in
dialogue on ministry.
     "This partnership does not represent regular membership or a
declaration of full communion with CUIC but provides an opportunity for
strengthening mission," the council resolution said.
     "Typically we don't submit actions like this to the churchwide
assembly," the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, told the
council. "We thought it would be a good idea for the assembly to
understand what this is about."
     In separate actions, the council postponed action on requests for
the Lutheran Renewal Organization (LRO) and Lutherans Concerned/North
America (LC/NA) to be recognized as independent Lutheran organizations.
In each case, the council asked for a  review and response from the
council's Legal and Constitutional Committee.  It did not specify a
deadline for the requests to be brought back to the council.
     Members of the council's Program and Services Committee said they
did not have enough information to make a decision on the requests, said
Sally Young, council member, Waterloo, Iowa.  Young chairs the Program
and Services Committee.
     The ELCA Constitution allows for independent Lutheran
organizations to seek a relationship with the church while maintaining
their independence and autonomy.
     LRO, a 30-year-old pan-Lutheran organization, exists to "foster
the renewal and strengthening of personal faith and church life within
the context of the Lutheran heritage, according to the spiritual work
and services described especially in Ephesians 4:12-13," according to
information given to council members.  The board of the ELCA Division
for Congregational Ministries (DCM) requested LRO be officially
recognized.
     The same committee reviewed a similar request from the board of
the ELCA Division for Outreach for LC/NA, an organization that advocates
for the full participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered
people within the church.
     In a final, related action, the Program and Services committee
asked that the council's Legal and Constitutional Review Committee
review the constitutional provisions by which the ELCA relates to
independent Lutheran organizations.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html