UMC and ELCA Considers Full Communion Relationship
The nation’s largest Lutheran denomination may adopt a “full communion relationship” with the largest Methodist church group.
The nation’s largest Lutheran denomination may adopt a “full communion relationship” with the largest Methodist church group.
A relationship of “Interim Sharing of the Eucharist between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church” was approved during the ELCA’s April Church Council meeting, according to ELCA news service.
The Church Council serves as the denomination’s board of directors and legislative authority of the church between biennial churchwide assemblies. The recommendation for communion will be forwarded to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly, which could officially approve the relationship.
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Mainline denominations have increasingly opened its doors to shared communion and ministry over the past decade as the ecumenical movement gained greater momentum. The ELCA alone has full communion relationships with the Episcopal Church, Moravian Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), Reformed Church in America and the United Church of Christ.
Oddly, the ELCA does not share any such relationships with other Lutheran churches in America.
According to the ELCA news service, the church council’s decision follows a similar endorsement by the ELCA Conference of Bishops, which met in Dallas last month.
Should the Churchwide assembly adopt the proposals, the congregations and judicatories of both denominations will be encouraged to study theological documents, participate jointly in Holy Communion and explore new opportunities for shared ministry.
The two churches may eventually achieve full communion – also known as an altar and pulpit fellowship – where the clergy of one church body may serve in congregations of the other church.
One of the concerns in developing such a fellowship, however, was the fear that the two churches may have different understandings of the Eucharist. However, according to Rev. Randall R. Lee, director of the ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs, the UMC’s recently adopted statement on the Holy Communion – dubbed “This Holy Mystery” – revealed that the understanding was very similar.
“The dialogue concluded that there is a very similar understanding of Holy Communion," Lee said.
Ultimately, the Church Council expressed "welcome and rejoice in the substantial progress" of the Lutheran-United Methodist Dialogue. The council also encouraged mutual prayer and support by members of ELCA congregations, study of Scripture and the history and theology of both churches, and encouraged joint programs of theological discussion, evangelical outreach and social ministry endeavors.
