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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
and the 2000 General Convention of The Episcopal Church to establish a
relationship of full communion between the ELCA and The Episcopal
Church.
The agreement opened the way for cooperative mission efforts where
appropriate. Mutual recognition of ordained ministers of each church
body allows for their service in settings of cooperative ministry.
Did the ELCA and
The Episcopal
Church adopt the
same agreement?
Yes. Exactly the same text of "Called to Common Mission" was approved by
both the 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America and the 2000 General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
The introductory resolutions were different, in keeping with the
legislative process of each church body. The result of those resolutions
was the same—approval of the agreed text of "Called to Common Mission."
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.
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. In 1999, a
Lutheran-Moravian relationship of full communion was affirmed. These
relationships already have been fruitful for mission in a variety of
ways.
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.
Does "Called to
Common Mission"
change doctrine?
No. Lutherans and Episcopalians agreed early in the dialogues leading to
this agreement 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.
Was only the ELCA
being required
to make changes?
No. The Episcopal Church took a significant step in terms of its own
history and heritage by recognizing and accepting ELCA ordained
ministers. The Episcopal Church also recognized in the Augsburg
Confession and Luther’s Small Catechism "the essentials of the one
catholic and apostolic faith" (paragraph 4).
What changes
are required
in the ELCA?
Major change in the ELCA took place in the adoption of provisions to
implement the 1997 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.
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—congregations, synods, 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, opened helpful
mission possibilities for many congregations and various synods. The
Lutheran-Reformed partnership has provided helpful models for
implementing the relationships of full communion between the ELCA and
The Episcopal Church.
Why is this "full
communion"
relationship
important?
The relationship of full communion between the ELCA and The Episcopal
Church increases opportunities for mission and witness. By allowing for
the exchange of clergy between our two churches, one pastor or priest
may serve congregations of both church bodies. In some rural areas and
many inner city situations, along with campus ministry sites and a
variety of other situations, this new relationship is proving invaluable
in increasing our opportunities for service to the world. The full range
of such opportunities would not be possible without the exchangeability
of clergy.
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. "Called to Common Mission" acknowledges "the full authenticity of
each other’s ordained ministers" (paragraph 7). An ELCA pastor now can
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.)
In the ELCA and predecessor church bodies, the synodical bishop has been
the person to authorize the ordination of clergy. The bishop now
regularly will preside at the ordination of candidates in the company of
other pastors. There is no special "grace" imparted during the rite of
the installation of a bishop that qualifies the bishop to ordain clergy;
bishops carry out the role of presiding ministry as a sign that
candidates for ordination are ordained for service in this whole church,
not simply for a specific congregation.
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."
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. None of the power, rights, or responsibilities of
congregations are changed.
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.
Who will confirm
ELCA youth in our congregations?
Pastors of ELCA congregations will continue to preside at confirmations,
just as in the past.
The present rite for the affirmation of baptism in Lutheran Book of
Worship, conducted by the congregation’s pastor, will continue to be
used.
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 particular circumstances, an ordained minister of
full-communion partner churches—that is, the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, The
Episcopal Church, and the Moravian Church—may be invited by a
congregation, with the authorization of the synodical bishop, to provide
pastoral ministry.
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) as well as the agreement with the
Moravian Church.
Why will pastors
be ordained into
the historic
episcopate?
Pastors 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.
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. A bishop
exercises oversight of the work of the Church in a geographic area. In
that responsibility, a bishop serves as a symbol of the Church beyond
the congregation and region.
Did the ELCA
adopt a three-
fold pattern of
ministry (deacon,
priest, bishop)?
No. In "Called to Common Mission," paragraphs 14 and 15 clearly affirm
the ELCA’s continuing pattern of ordained ministry. The one ministry of
Word and Sacrament remains focused in the office of pastor.
"Called to Common Mission" reads: "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 faith and not apart from it" (paragraph 7). Bishops are pastors
who serve a number of congregations in a geographical area.
"Called to Common Mission" makes clear that the ELCA will not need to
change its position to designate deacons or diaconal ministers as
members of the clergy. "Called to Common Mission" states in paragraph 9:
"The ordination of deacons, deaconesses, or diaconal ministers by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is not required" by the adoption
of "Called to Common Mission."
The reference to the sharing of ministry recognizes the continuation of
a three-fold pattern in The Episcopal Church and the continuation of the
existing pattern affirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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.
This pattern 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, Norway,
and elsewhere.
About 25 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
polity of oversight with bishop serving under the Gospel.
Will bishops be
considered
superior to
pastors?
No. The ELCA embraces one ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament. 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 improper behavior or false
teaching. Similarly, candidacy committees and other synod committees
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.
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 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 having "correctly
interpreted" 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 information in an "endnote" in the printed
booklet that contains the amended text of "Called to Common Mission," as
adopted by the ELCA’s 1999 Churchwide Assembly.
The Tucson resolution relates specifically to the ELCA’s internal life.
It does not address 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.).
-
The declaration of no requirement that the ELCA must eventually adopt
the three-fold order of ministry with ordained deacons (Tucson
Resolution, Item A.1. and Item A.4.) is shown in paragraph 9 of "Called
to Common Mission."
-
There is no expectation or requirement (Tucson Resolution, Item A.6)
that the ELCA adopt the Ordinal or rules that apply to ordinations in
The Episcopal Church (paragraph 16 of "Called to Common Mission").
-
An ordained minister of a full-communion partner church body serving
within an ELCA setting (Tucson Resolution, Item B.5.) is to abide by the
standards of this church (churchwide bylaw 8.72.16.; paragraph 16 of
"Called to Common Mission," that is, such service is "subject always
to...constitutionally approved invitation," and paragraph 22,
"respecting always the internal discipline of each church").
-
"Called to Common Mission" affirms the confessional foundation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (paragraph 4) and does not
represent in any way a change in this church’s confessional stance
(Tucson Resolution, Item B.6.).
-
Future decisions related to the relationship of full communion
(Tucson Resolution, Items B.10., B. 11., and B.12.) will be made in
mutual consultation (paragraphs 23, 24, 25, and 26). The legislative
processes and authority of the respective churches remain unchanged. The
joint commission—known as the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating
Committee—is a consultative group, not a legislative body. It is to be
"fully accountable to the decision-making bodies of the two churches"
(paragraph 23 of "Called to Common Mission")
-
The current pattern of confirmations in the ELCA (Tucson Resolution,
Item B.13) will continue (†S14.02.b.1 in the Constitution for Synods and
*C9.03.b.1 in the Model Constitution for Congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).
-
The pattern for ordinations (Tucson Resolution, Item B.1.) is
addressed in paragraph 20.
-
Recognition of other full-communion relationships of the ELCA
(Tucson Resolution, Item B.2.) is contained in paragraphs 13 and 25 of
"Called to Common Mission."
Provision for the reception of the historic episcopate in the
installation of future ELCA bishops (Tucson Resolution, Item B.3.) is
indicated in paragraphs 18, 19, and 20 of "Called to Common Mission."
Why is the "Mind
of the House"
resolution of
The Episcopal
Church different
from the Tucson
Resolution?
The "Mind of the House" resolution addresses implementation of "Called
to Common Mission" in The Episcopal Church. Likewise, the resolution of
the ELCA Conference of Bishops ("Tucson Resolution") addresses
implementation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Each church body remains responsible for its internal governance and
life.
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
affirm the tradition of the Church throughout the centuries. They 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).
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 acknowledge that the historic episcopate is not essential to the
church as church (paragraph 13). The Episcopal Church accepts the
ministry of present ELCA ordained ministers (paragraphs 7 and 15).
The ELCA continues to receive the ministry 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.
Will this give
more power
to bishops?
No. The responsibilities and constitutional authority 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.
Does "Called to
Common Mission"
create bishops-
for-life in the
ELCA?
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 custom in many synods, a practice unrelated to
"Called to Common Mission." No continuing authority, responsibility, or
role comes with the honorary designation "bishop emeritus."
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 (constitutional 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
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). The implementing constitutional amendments were approved
by 84 percent (802-152).
Will the "Joint
Commission"
govern our
church?
No. The Joint Commission is known as the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating
Committee. Its charter is similar to that of the Lutheran-Reformed
Coordinating Committee and the Lutheran-Moravian Coordinating Committee.
The Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee has no legislative
authority over either the ELCA or The Episcopal Church. The group is a
means for discussion of matters of mutual interest for the
implementation of "Called to Common Mission" and the relationship of
full communion. The coordinating committee is to be "fully accountable
to the decision-making bodies of the two churches" (paragraph 23).
Is this agreement
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 in these
capacities 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.
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 other Reformation leaders 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.
Will the ELCA be
required to
accept ordained
deacons in the
future?
No. There is no requirement or expectation that the ELCA will move to
ordain 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." 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.
Lutherans for centuries have affirmed one office of Word and Sacrament.
The role of pastors as ordained ministers was confirmed by the 1993
Churchwide Assembly in response to the Study of Ministry. Bishops have
been and continue to be pastors elected to serve in a particular role.
Was the 1999
Churchwide
Assembly forced
to accept
"Called to
Common
Mission?"
No. The voting members at the 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA
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."
In the assembly, the voting members cast their ballots 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 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) remains in force with The
Episcopal Church. As part of the relationship of full communion with the
ELCA, The Episcopal Church suspended 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.
Will lay people be
able to assist with
communion?
Yes. Full communion relationships in no way alter the current practice
of Holy Communion as expressed in the statement on sacramental
practices, "Use of the Means of Grace," adopted by the 1997 Churchwide
Assembly.
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.
Future worship resources, as in the past, will be developed in
consultation with other churches.
Will the Queen of
England have
authority to name
future ELCA
bishops?
No. The ELCA governing documents clearly indicate that the presiding
bishop is elected by the Churchwide Assembly and synodical bishops are
elected by synodical assemblies. Only those ordained ministers on the
clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are eligible
for election.
Will future ELCA
bishops be
ordained into the
office of bishop?
No. Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are ordained
ministers who have been elected to serve in the office of oversight.
Bishops are installed, therefore, into this office, similar to the way
in which a pastor is installed to any new call.
These answers are based on the approved text of "Called to Common
Mission," as adopted by the 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and the 2000 General Convention of The
Episcopal Church. Materials provided 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 also
were employed in the preparation of this booklet.
Single copies of the Lutheran-Episcopal full-communion agreement,
"Called to Common Mission," are available by calling 1.800.638.3522,
ext. 2610. Multiple copies, 35 cents each, plus postage and handling,
may be ordered from the ELCA Distribution Service, 1.800.328.4648;
Augsburg Fortress order code 69-1346; ISBN 6-0001-1652-7.
Single copies of "Since You Asked: Questions and Answers on ‘Called to
Common Mission’" also are available, 1.800.638.3522, ext. 2610. Multiple
copies, for the cost of postage and handling, may be ordered from the
ELCA Distribution Service, 1.800.328.4648. Use the order code on this
page when placing the order. |
