This document was compiled by the Office of the
Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The answers
provided here are based on "Called to Common Mission," as adopted by the
1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
and on materials prepared by the faculties of Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Philadelphia and Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque,
Iowa, as well as documentation prepared in the Eastern North Dakota
Synod, Minneapolis Area Synod, Northwest Washington Synod, and the
Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
You may e-mail the ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations for single copies
of "Called to Common Mission" Questions
and Answers. Multiple copies of this
document may be obtained through Augsburg Fortress at 1-800-328-4648 for
the cost of shipping and handling. Please use the code 67-4070.
What is "Called to Common Mission?"
"Called to Common Mission" is the name of the agreement adopted by the
1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
to establish a relationship of full communion between the ELCA and The
Episcopal Church.
The agreement would open the way for cooperative mission efforts where
appropriate. Mutual recognition of ordained ministers of each church
body would allow for their service in settings of cooperative ministry.
What does "full communion" mean?
"Full communion" means a mutual recognition that the partner churches
hold "the essentials of the Christian faith" within the catholic and
apostolic tradition. In such a relationship, according to "Called to
Common Mission," neither church "seeks to remake the other in its own
image, but each is open to the gifts of the other as it seeks to be
faithful to Christ and his mission. They are together committed to a
visible unity in the church's mission to proclaim the Word and
administer the Sacraments" ("Called to Common Mission," paragraph 2).
Full communion describes a relationship in which the partner churches
fully recognize each other as part of the whole Church of Jesus Christ
and seek to cooperate with each other in witness, life, and service.
Mutual recognition of Baptism and a sharing of the Lord's Supper,
allowing for joint worship and an exchangeability of members, also are
part of a relationship of full communion.
Does this change doctrine?
No. Lutherans and Episcopalians agreed early in the dialogues leading to
this point that nothing was dividing them theologically. Both were born
out of the Reformation of the 16th century--one in Germany and the other
in England. A summary of theological agreement is provided in paragraph
5 of "Called to Common Mission."
Immigrants carried both churches to North America. Separate histories
emerged, particularly with the varied threads of Lutheran church bodies
established here along language or ethnic lines (such as German, Danish,
Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, and so on). The mergers of the 20th century
brought all those Lutheran threads together into the ELCA. In spite of
the separate church structures, Episcopalians and Lutherans have shared
much in common, particularly in patterns of worship and liturgical
material.
Does accepting "Called to Common Mission"
imply a merger?
No. Not at all. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America retains its
own Confession of Faith, governance patterns, and relationships in all
of its expressions as a church--congregation, synod, and churchwide
ministries (paragraphs 20 and 23).
Does "Called to Common Mission" make the Word
subordinate to ordained ministry?
No. "Called to Common Mission" explicitly affirms the "primacy of the
Word" (paragraph 17). Lutherans and Episcopalians together affirm "that
the historic catholic episcopate under the Word of God must always serve
the Gospel, and the ultimate authority under which bishops preach and
teach is the Gospel itself." Further, the "canonical Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments" are embraced by both churches. For both the ELCA
and The Episcopal Church, the Gospel is proclaimed with the purpose of
announcing "that in Jesus Christ God loves and redeems the world." Both
churches also embrace "a common understanding of God's justifying grace"
(paragraph 5).
Is "Called to Common Mission" really about
mission?
Yes. Witnessing to our unity in Christ is in itself a vital aspect of
Christian mission, especially in a fragmented, increasingly secular
society. There are many places where "Called to Common Mission" will
open possibilities of sharing ministries that will extend the outreach
of both churches. Developing mission plans in common with partners in
full communion conserves valuable resources for outreach.
Steps in the implementation of the Lutheran-Reformed relationship of
full communion, through the 1997 Formula of Agreement, have opened
helpful mission possibilities for several congregations and various
synods. The Lutheran-Reformed partnership provides helpful models for
other relationships of full communion between churches.
Will my congregation be served by an Episcopal
priest in the future?
Perhaps. But only upon the invitation of your congregation and with the
authorization of your synodical bishop. Any priest serving in a Lutheran
congregation would remain Episcopalian but would need to serve according
to Lutheran teaching and practice, abiding by the ELCA "Confession of
Faith" in its constitution and by the ELCA's policies related to the
standards for pastoral ministry (paragraph 22; see also ELCA churchwide
bylaws 8.72.12., 8.72.14., and 8.72.15.).
Will an ELCA pastor be able to serve in an
Episcopal parish?
Yes, if The Episcopal Church's process of approval affirms "Called to
Common Mission" in July 2000. Upon approval, we will see the immediate
acknowledgment of "the full authenticity of each other's ordained
ministers" (paragraph 7). An ELCA pastor could be asked by an Episcopal
parish to serve in that setting.
Doesn't "Called to Common Mission" ignore the
priesthood of all believers?
No. As stated explicitly in "Called to Common Mission," the two churches
emphasize together "that all members of Christ's church are commissioned
for ministry through baptism. All are called to represent Christ and his
church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; to carry on
Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to participate in the
life, worship, and governance of the church" (paragraph 6 in "Called to
Common Mission;" see also provision 7.11. in the ELCA constitution).
Does "Called to Common Mission" imply grades
or levels of ministry?
No. In fact, "Called to Common Mission" counters the notion that the
ordained ministry is on a higher grade than others among the priesthood
of all believers. Specifically, "Called to Common Mission" declares, "We
agree that ordained ministers are called and set apart for the one
ministry of Word and Sacrament, and that they do not cease thereby to
share in the priesthood of all believers. They fulfill their particular
ministries within the community of the faithful and not apart from it"
(paragraph 7). By saying that the ordained ministry exists to serve, all
notions of hierarchy and power are eliminated. By emphasizing the "one"
ministry of Word and Sacrament and the continued sharing in the
priesthood of all believers, "Called to Common Mission" rejects any
grades in ministry.
Although the Augsburg Confession does not discuss the priesthood of all
believers, "Called to Common Mission" affirms this fundamental Lutheran
conviction. "We believe that all members of the church are called to
participate in its apostolic mission. They are therefore given various
ministries by the Holy Spirit" (paragraph 5).
As Martin Luther wrote in the Commentary on Psalm 82 (Luther's Works,
Vol. 13, page 65), "It is true that all Christians are priests (sacerdos),
but not all are pastors. To be a pastor one must be not only Christian
and a priest but must have an office and a field of work committed to
him [or her]. This call and command make pastors and preachers." (See
also Article 14 of the Augsburg Confession.)
What actually changes?
At ordinations of pastors, one of the ordained ministers "to preside and
participate in the laying-on-of-hands" is to be a synodical bishop. This
is the pattern now followed in most ELCA synods. Other pastors also will
be present to preach and participate in the "laying on of hands" in the
ordination rite. (No Episcopal bishop is required for a Lutheran
ordination.)
For installation of new bishops, the presiding bishop of the ELCA will
continue to be responsible for the installation rite, as in the past.
The presiding bishop, or another ELCA bishop appointed to do so, will
conduct the rite. Others from the ELCA, representatives from
full-communion partner churches, including an Episcopal bishop as a
collegial expression of this relationship of full communion, and other
bishops also may participate. Three of the participants are to be
bishops previously installed into the "historic episcopate."
Why will pastors be ordained into the historic
episcopate?
They will not be ordained into the historic episcopate. The historic
episcopate relates to the installation of future bishops. Pastors will
be ordained to serve as ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament within
ELCA congregations and other ministry settings. One of the pastors "to
preside and participate in the laying-on-of-hands" at ordinations is to
be a pastor in the office of bishop.
Will "Called to Common Mission" change the way
my congregation calls a pastor?
No. Pastors of the ELCA are called by the congregation in consultation
with the synod office during the call process. This ELCA practice will
not change. In unusual circumstances, an ordained minister of The
Episcopal Church--just as is now the case with ordained ministers from
the Reformed churches--may be invited by a congregation, with the
authorization of the synodical bishop, to provide pastoral ministry.
Will "Called to Common Mission" give more
power to bishops?
No. The constitutional authority and responsibilities of synodical
bishops are in no way increased by "Called to Common Mission." At the
same time, the constitutional limitations on the role of bishops remain
unchanged.
What is the historic episcopate anyway?
The historic episcopate is the orderly transmission of the office of
bishop or overseer, with its roots in the time of the early church. It
is a symbolic succession pointing back to the centrality of Christ and
the teaching of the apostles. It also looks forward to the carrying out
of the mission of the Gospel in the church of today. The historic
episcopate existed for centuries prior to the Reformation of the 16th
century, long before the rise of either Lutheranism or Anglicanism. Most
Christians in the world today live in churches that have practiced the
historic episcopate
Is the historic episcopate new for Lutherans?
No. The historic episcopate has been part of the life of some Lutheran
churches, such as in Sweden and Finland, since the time of the
Reformation. In more recent years, the historic episcopate has become a
part of Lutheran church life in Tanzania, Namibia, El Salvador, and
Norway.
About 20 million of the world's 63 million
Lutherans are part of churches that practice an evangelical and historic
succession in the
office of bishop. The Apology to the Augsburg Confession (Article 14)
expresses the "deep desire" of the Reformers to preserve a reformed but episcopal polity under the Gospel. Will bishops preside for confirmations?
No. There will be no change in the way in which congregations have
confirmations. The present rite for the affirmation of baptism in
Lutheran Book of Worship,
conducted by the congregation's pastor, will continue to be used. Does "Called to Common Mission" make the historic episcopate essential
to the church or to a true ministry of Word and Sacrament?
No. In "Called to Common Mission," both the ELCA and The Episcopal
Church bear witness to the conviction that the historic episcopate is
not essential to the church as church (paragraph 13). The Episcopal
Church will declare its acceptance of all present ELCA ordained
ministers (paragraphs 7 and 15).
The ELCA will continue to witness to its acceptance of non-episcopally
ordained ministers through its relationship of full communion with the
Reformed churches under A Formula of Agreement. That agreement was
adopted in 1997 with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church
in America, and United Church of Christ (paragraphs 13 and 25). The ELCA
also is in full communion with the North American provinces of the
Moravian Church. Do the Lutheran Confessions reject the historic episcopate for
Lutherans?
Nowhere do the Lutheran Confessions reject the historic episcopate. In
fact, the Augsburg Confession (Article 28) expresses the desire to
maintain the traditional ecclesiastical and canonical polity (see also
paragraph 11 of "Called to Common Mission"). The Lutheran Confessions
point to Scripture and also to the teachings of the "Church Fathers,"
including bishops such as Augustine and Ambrose, as well as the
doctrinal statement of the Council of Nicaea (a.d. 325) in their
affirmation of the tradition of the Church throughout the centuries. Does "Called to Common Mission" create in the ELCA bishops-for-life?
No. "Called to Common Mission" explicitly states that ELCA bishops will
continue to be selected by assembly elections under six-year terms of
service (paragraph 18), which may be terminated by retirement,
resignation, disciplinary action, or conclusion of term. Synods may still honor a retiring bishop by resolution as "bishop
emeritus." That is a long-standing custom in many synods, a practice
unrelated to "Called to Common Mission." No continuing authority,
responsibility, or role comes with the designation "bishop emeritus." It
is only an honorary designation that a synod may choose to bestow. Is "Called to Common Mission" inconsistent with Article 7 of the
Augsburg Confession?
No. First, "Called to Common Mission" takes care to be consistent with
the position of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as expressed
in the "Statement on Ecumenism-The Vision of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America." That statement was adopted by a 93 percent vote by
the 1991 Churchwide Assembly. The statement explains that Article 7 of
the Augsburg Confession does not exempt Lutheran churches from church
order, but rather frees them to practice those church polities that may
serve the unity of the whole Church. According to Article 7, "For it is
sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church that the Gospel be
preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and that the
sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word...." Second, Article 7 in the 16th century addressed a particular historical
situation. The Church was threatened with disunity. The Augsburg
Confession sought to preserve unity while, at the same time, allow for
reform. By contrast, today's situation for the churches is one of
visible divisions. The ELCA's statement on ecumenism, in upholding
Article 7, declares, "In a context of unity [in the 16th century], the
satis est ["it is sufficient"] was proposed to preserve that unity.
Today the satis est provides an ecumenical resource to move to levels of
fellowship among divided churches." Third, "Called to Common Mission" shares the goal of Article 7 in regard
to the unity of the Church and the preserving of the basic elements
needed to sustain such unity. It also promotes the freedom that Article
7 allows in order to realize a communion between the churches in which
such unity can be lived. On the basis of Article 7 and the true unity it
describes, the ELCA is free to adopt an evangelical episcopal succession
for the practice of full communion with The Episcopal Church while at
the same time maintaining its full communion relationship with the
Reformed churches (paragraph 13). Is only the ELCA being required to make changes?
No. The Episcopal Church is taking a significant step in terms of its
own history and heritage in recognizing and accepting ELCA ordained
ministers. The Episcopal Church also recognizes in the Augsburg
Confession and Luther's Small Catechism "the essentials of the one
catholic and apostolic faith" (paragraph 4). The most major change in the ELCA took place in the adoption of
provisions to implement the Lutheran-Reformed agreement and other
agreements for relationships of full communion. That major change
involved constitutional and bylaw amendments to open the possibility of
service by an ordained minister of a full-communion partner church
within an ELCA setting.
Adoption of "Called to Common Mission" means that the pastor who
presides at ordinations and participates with other pastors in the
laying-on-of-hands will be an ELCA synodical bishop, as is the pattern
in most synods now. Further, at least three of the persons present for
installations of future bishops will be bishops previously installed
into the historic episcopate. Will "Called to Common Mission" limit the freedom of congregations?
No. "Called to Common Mission" in no way changes the relationship of
congregations to one another, to their respective synods, or to the
larger church. The power, rights, and responsibilities of congregations
are not changed either. No constitutional or bylaw amendments related to "Called to Common
Mission" are required by congregations.
If a congregation desires the service of an ordained minister from a
full-communion partner church, a model constitutional provision is
offered for the congregation's consideration. Why are we spending so much time on this one issue?
Practicing unity with other churches is not a trivial matter. The
Preface to the Augsburg Confession, the most authoritative of the
Lutheran Confessions, declares that "we on our part shall not omit doing
anything, in so far as God and conscience allow, that may serve the
cause of Christian unity." One of the purposes of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (constitution provision 4.02.f.) is to
"manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the
love of Christ and by joining with other Christians in prayer and action
to express and preserve the unity which the Spirit gives." Why are we suddenly facing this issue now?
"Called to Common Mission" is the result of a 30-year process, which
began with the first U.S. Lutheran-Episcopal dialogue in 1969. At every
stage, the process has been mandated by the churches, and the results
published and distributed to all clergy for study.
In 1982, the predecessor bodies of the ELCA entered into an "interim"
agreement with The Episcopal Church for eucharistic sharing. The
churches also made a commitment to a new round of dialogue to address
issues that needed to be resolved for a relationship of full communion
between the churches. The original Concordat of Agreement was
distributed throughout the churches in 1991. The document was voted on
at the 1997 Churchwide Assembly and fell six votes short of the
two-thirds needed for adoption. Earlier, that same year, The Episcopal
Church had approved the document by an overwhelming margin. The 1997
ELCA Churchwide Assembly directed that a revision of the Concordat be
developed and submitted to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly. That revised
document, "Called to Common Mission," was adopted by a nearly 70 percent
vote (716-317; 69.3 percent). The implementing constitutional amendments
were approved by 84 percent (802-152). Was the 1999 Churchwide Assembly "forced" to accept "Called to Common
Mission?"
No. The voting members at the 1999 Churchwide Assembly received the text
for study in the months prior to the assembly. During the assembly,
informational hearings were held with resource people who favored and
opposed the proposal. In the plenary session, two persons--one in favor,
one opposed--made presentations to all the voting members. More than 90
people participated in the floor debate. Upon votes of the assembly to
ask them to speak, two people--the Rev. Ishmael Noko, general secretary
of the Lutheran World Federation, and the Rev. John Thomas from the
Reformed tradition as president of the United Church of Christ--offered
their observations on "Called to Common Mission." The voting members
cast their ballots confidentially following a prayer asking for the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each person used the voting machine at her
or his place on the assembly floor. The proposal was adopted after an
extensive process of study and deliberation. Is the "Tucson Resolution" of the Conference of Bishops binding?
Yes. The "Tucson Resolution" of the Conference of Bishops of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is binding for implementation of
"Called to Common Mission" because:
- Most of the
items listed in the Tucson resolution are stated and addressed in the
official text of "Called to Common Mission."
- The Tucson resolution is acknowledged by
specific reference in the official text of "Called to Common Mission"
as a correct interpretation of the agreement for a full communion
relationship between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church. In other
words, it is binding by reference in the document itself
- Some items in the Tucson resolution are addressed in the bylaws of
the ELCA and, therefore, are binding under those bylaws.
The Tucson resolution was adopted by the ELCA's Conference of Bishops in
March 1999 as a brief summary of "Called to Common Mission." The text of
the resolution is provided as an "endnote" in the printed booklet that
contains the text of "Called to Common Mission," as adopted by the
ELCA's 1999 Churchwide Assembly. Parts of the Tucson resolution are related specifically to the ELCA's
internal life and are not applicable to the internal life of The
Episcopal Church. For example,
- Terms of ELCA bishops (Tucson resolution, Item A.2.) are defined in
the synodical constitution (†S8.51) and the churchwide constitution and
bylaws (10.31.05. and 13.22.). Further, paragraph 18 in "Called to
Common Mission" acknowledges that tenure in office of an ELCA bishop
"may be terminated by retirement, resignation, disciplinary action, or
conclusion of term."
- The possibility within the ELCA of authorization of a lay person to
preside for Holy Communion when no ordained minister is available for an
extended period of time (Tucson resolution, Item B.4.) is provided in
this church's bylaws (7.61.01.) and the sacramental policy document
approved by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, "The Use of the Means of
Grace."
- The possibility of service by an ordained minister of a
full-communion partner church in any ELCA congregation (Tucson
resolution, Item A.5., Item B.5., and Item B.8.) is by invitation only,
as specified in this church's bylaws (8.72.12., 8.72.13., 8.72.14.,
8.72.15., and 8.72.16.).
Will bishops be superior to pastors?
No. One ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament is embraced. For the
good order of the church, however, bishops working with synod councils
and committees are to exercise authority on behalf of this church, as
defined in the ELCA's constitutions. This may result, for example, in
the removal of a pastor for bad behavior or false teaching. Similarly,
candidacy committees and other synod committees may exercise
responsibility for decisions in the synod, including suitability of
candidates for pastoral ministry. This is not a matter of "superiority"
but of assigned responsibility. The role of bishops in the ELCA is in
keeping with Article 28 of the Augsburg Confession. Likewise, the role
is in accord with the ELCA Study of Ministry, adopted by the 1993
Churchwide Assembly. A bishop exercises oversight of the work of the church in a geographic
area in a way similar to the role of a pastor in giving oversight to the
work of the church in a particular congregation. Didn't Luther oppose the idea of bishops presiding at ordinations?
We can find passages written by Martin Luther that speak disparagingly
of bishops. In other writings, he and others in the Reformation era
speak of the desirability of having bishops preside for ordinations.
They sought bishops who were willing to embrace the reforming movement,
but did not find any at that time in Germany. A bishop exercises oversight of the work of the Church in a geographic
area. In that responsibility, a bishop serves as a sign of the Church
beyond the congregation and region. The presence of a bishop in the rite
of ordination is a reminder that a person is ordained into the pastoral
ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ, and not simply for service in a
particular place. Have other agreements of full communion been approved?
Yes. The ELCA is in a relationship of full communion with the other
member churches of the Lutheran World Federation. In addition, the ELCA
established full communion with the Reformed churches [Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America, and United Church of
Christ] under A Formula of Agreement in 1997. That relationship already
has been fruitful in a variety of ways for mission. In 1999, a
Lutheran-Moravian relationship of full communion was affirmed. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is moving forward for such a
relationship with the Anglican Church in Canada. Lutherans in northern
and eastern Europe and Anglicans in Great Britain share a similar
relationship, within the European context, as a result of the Porvoo
Agreement, named for a town in Finland where the agreement was written.
The Leuenberg Agreement for Lutheran-Reformed relations in Europe offers
another example of such a relationship. Will the "Joint Commission" govern our church?
No. The Joint Commission will have no legislative authority over either
the ELCA or The Episcopal Church. The group will serve as a coordinating
committee for discussion of matters of mutual interest for the
implementation of "Called to Common Mission" and the relationship of
full communion. The group will be "fully accountable to the
decision-making bodies of the two churches" (paragraph 23). Is this just a "power grab" by bishops?
No. The provisions for representation on Synod Councils and Synod
Assemblies--as well as the Churchwide Assembly and boards--remain
unchanged. That is, at least 60 percent of those who serve must be lay
persons, half of whom shall be women and half of whom shall be men.
While synodical bishops serve among the ordained ministers as voting
members of the Churchwide Assembly, bishops are not eligible for
election to the Church Council or any churchwide boards or committees.
They will continue to serve as members of the Conference of Bishops and
advisors, when so designated, to the council, boards, and committees.
There is no change in the decision-making authority of bishops. Will the ELCA be forced to accept ordained deacons?
No. Lutherans for centuries have affirmed one ordained office of Word
and Sacrament in pastoral ministry. This was confirmed for the ELCA in
the 1993 Study of Ministry. Bishops have been and continue to be pastors
elected to serve in a particular role.
The lay rosters of the ELCA will continue to function as they do
presently. Associates in ministry are commissioned to their service.
Diaconal ministers and deaconesses are consecrated for their work. There
is no requirement or expectation that the ELCA will move to ordained
deacons, as is the case in The Episcopal Church. As stated in "Called to
Common Mission" (paragraph 9), "The ordination of deacons, deaconesses,
or diaconal ministers by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is
not required by this Concordat." Is there a hidden "Phase Two" that will require the ELCA to adopt the
ordination rite of The Episcopal Church?
No. "Called to Common Mission" contains no hidden "Phase Two." The
Episcopal Church's Ordinal (ordination rite) will remain in force only
with The Episcopal Church. As part of the relationship of full communion
with the ELCA, The Episcopal Church suspends only a restriction in its
Ordinal's Preface to allow for interchangeability of ordained ministers
with the ELCA (paragraph 16). This restriction and its suspension
concern the internal order of The Episcopal Church. Nothing in "Called
to Common Mission" implies that the ELCA will ever need to adopt The
Episcopal Church's Ordinal. Is there a secret plan for a new joint hymnal?
No. Many of the worship resources that have been used by Lutherans for
decades are drawn from the English Book of Common Prayer. While some
congregations of full-communion partner churches have purchased and used
Lutheran worship resources, no plans exist for any new joint hymnal with
any church body in a relationship of full communion with the ELCA. |
