August 5, 2003
The Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America is grateful for its relationship with The Episcopal
Church, one of five ELCA full communion partners. It is
important to note that in these full communion relationships,
each body remains responsible for its internal decision-making.
Clergy from full communion partner churches are required to
uphold ELCA standards pertaining to rostered ministries while
serving ELCA congregations.
With this in mind, it would not
be appropriate for me to make observations about specific
decisions of the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal
Church.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) embraces full-communion relationships with
five other church bodies. In addition, the ELCA is a member of
the Lutheran World Federation, a communion of 136-member
churches with 62 million members in 76 countries throughout the
world.
In its deliberative processes,
the ELCA — in a manner similar to many other churches — has
sought to be mindful of the ecumenical and church-to-church
implications and impact of decisions of ELCA assemblies and
councils. Both the external and internal contexts of the ELCA’s
life have informed those decisions.
The ELCA is engaged in a
multi-year study process in its congregations and synods on
issues of human sexuality, including homosexuality. On such
issues, extensive conversations of mutual respect and thorough
study of Scripture and the tradition of the church are needed in
our congregations and our whole church.
God calls us to live as sisters
and brothers in Christ, recognizing the unity that we have been
given in baptism. God also invites us to be open to the Spirit’s
guidance in the unfolding history of the church.
Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
