Lutheran Denominations Band Together Despite Opposing Views
Top leaders from the ELCA and LCMS ''Committee on Lutheran Cooperation'' focused on things they do agree on – such as hurricane relief, ecumenical relations with the Roman Catholic Church and th
The conservative Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the progressive Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hold near opposite opinions on theological issues ranging from the role of women in the church to homosexuality. However, leaders of both churches focused on things they do agree on – such as hurricane relief, ecumenical relations with the Roman Catholic Church and the welfare of refugees – during their semiannual meeting in Baltimore.
During their four-hour meeting, top leaders from the ELCA and LCMS “Committee on Lutheran Cooperation” discussed several issues regarding international relief and development. Along with leaders from the Lutheran World Relief – an overseas relief and development agency based in Baltimore – the representatives said a strong “biblical and reformation heritage” draws Lutherans together to engage in social services.
LWR provides a "place of interaction between the church and public sphere," said Kathryn F. Wolford, LWR president. "We do ask the church to go into places that ... may be uncomfortable for the church," she said.
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Such instances include the devastating tsunami in southern Asia last year, the humanitarian concerns in Niger and Sudan this year, and the severe earthquake in Asia last month.
Denominational heads said that in light of such crises, Lutherans must set aside their differences to work together in serving where they are most needed.
"I am absolutely convinced that Lutheran theology has the potential to impact the world in a huge way," said The Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS president. "I also grieve that internal struggles of our church bodies weaken us.
The LCMS and ELCA have struggled in the past to overcome doctrinal differences and have failed to agree on a pulpit-and-altar fellowship that would allow pastors from either denomination to preach at one another’s pulpits.
While such differences were not overcome, the leaders agreed that the division should not bar the two churches from achieving common goals.
"We cannot let internal issues divide us when it comes to providing food and housing. Only in our collective capacity can we take on the massive responsibility of ending hunger in the world," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding Bishop.
The two churches together represent nearly eight million Lutherans across the nation (the ELCA has about 5 million while the LCMS has about 3 million members).
In other business, members of the LCMS agreed to join in a new round of Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogues. Two members of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations will participate in a new round of Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue- traditionally held with the RCC and the ELCA – beginning December. That 11th round of ecumenical dialogues is dubbed “Hope for Eternal Life.”
The semi-annual Lutheran gathering was held on Oct. 28 at the Lutheran Center at Christ Church in Baltimore. The next Lutheran Committee meeting is slated for April 7, 2006, in Chicago.
