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 I. The Journey to Full Communion: Recommendations to the Churches
The Northern and
Southern Provinces of the
Moravian Church in
America, hereinafter termed the Moravian Church in America, and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby agree that in their
respective assemblies there shall be one vote to accept or reject,
without separate amendment, the resolutions which follow. If adopted by
both churches, each church agrees to take these measures to establish
full communion:
WHEREAS Jesus our Shepherd calls us to unity so that the world may
believe; and
WHEREAS Moravians and Lutherans share common theological
traditions and
commitments to mission; and
WHEREAS in North America Lutherans and Moravians have developed distinct
church bodies while cooperating in serving our Lord; and
WHEREAS Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion, the report of the
Lutheran-Moravian dialogue, affirmed that there are no church-dividing
differences precluding full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America and the Moravian Church in America; therefore be it
resolved
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in
America hereby recognize in one another the one, holy, catholic and
apostolic faith as it is expressed in the Scriptures, confessed in the
Church's historic creeds, attested to in the
Unaltered Augsburg
Confession and
Small Catechism, and the
Ground of the Unity of the Unitas Fratrum
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The Moravian Church in America and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hereby
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recognize the authenticity of each other's baptism and eucharists, and
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extend sacramental hospitality to one another's members;
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in
America hereby
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recognize each other's ordinations of persons to the Ministry of Word
and Sacrament; and
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recognize each other's polity and ministries of oversight (including the
interpretation of church doctrines, discipline of members, authorization
of persons for ordained and lay ministries, and provision for
administrative functions);
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The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America hereby recognize the full interchangeability and reciprocity of
all ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament, subject to the
constitutionally approved invitation for ministry in each other's
churches;
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in
America hereby authorize the establishment of a joint commission by
June, 2000.
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to coordinate the implementation of these resolutions,
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to assist joint planning for mission,
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to facilitate consultation and common decision-making through
appropriate channels in fundamental matters that the churches may face
together in the future, and
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to report regularly and appropriately to each church;
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The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America through the aforementioned joint commission shall
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encourage the development of worship materials to celebrate the
churches' full communion,
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encourage on-going theological discussion,
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encourage joint formulation of educational materials, and
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encourage continuing education for church professionals regarding the
churches' full communion;
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The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America hereby affirm that neither will issue an official commentary on
the text of these resolutions that has not been approved by the joint
commission as a legitimate interpretation thereof;
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in
America hereby agree that each will continue to be in communion with all
the churches with which each is in communion presently;
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The Moravian Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America hereby
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pledge to take each other and these agreements into account at every
stage of their dialogues and agreements with other churches and faith
traditions,
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pledge to seek to engage in joint dialogue when appropriate, and
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pledge not to enter into formal agreements with other churches and faith
traditions without prior consultation with the other.
The Lutheran-Moravian Coordinating Committee
ELCA
participants
The Rev. Dr. Walter Wagner, co-chair
Allentown, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Rinn
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
The Rev. Martha Sheaffer
Lititz, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. Darlis J. Swan, staff
Chicago, Illinois |
Moravian
participants
The Rev. Otto Dreydoppel, Jr., co-chair
Nazareth, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
The Rev. Gary L. Harke, staff
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
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