ELCA bishops seek to modify joint pact

Christian Century, April 4, 2001

Just two months after Lutherans and Episcopalians celebrated the historic "full communion, agreement between their two churches, bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have endorsed a proposal they hope will satisfy the agreement's critics.

The "Called to Common Mission" accord with the Episcopal Church allows the exchange of clergy and joint mission projects between the two churches. Lutherans had agreed to the Episcopal practice of ordination by a bishop. But because Lutherans had previously allowed ordination by other pastors, some ELCA members and clergy said the new ordination rule chipped away at Lutheran tradition and put too much emphasis on bishops.

The ELCA Conference of Bishops agreed to a measure that would allow pastors to preside at ordinations in "unusual circumstances." A bishop seeking that exemption must first consult with the church's presiding bishop, as well as the local synod council. If the proposed bylaw is adopted, there would be no appeal of the bishop's decision on the ordination, and three church bodies would periodically review the new laws.

The new bylaws must now be approved by the denomination's Church Council during its April 6-8 meeting, and then ratified by a two-thirds vote at this summer's Churchwide Assembly meeting in Indianapolis. Supporters concede they have an "uphill battle." --RNS