Lutherans OK full communion with United Methodists
By Linda Bloom*
August 20, 2009 | MINNEAPOLIS (UMNS)
Celebrating with a Charles Wesley hymn, the largest Lutheran body in
the United States entered into full communion with The United Methodist
Church.
Delegates to the churchwide assembly of the 4.7 million-member
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sang “O, For a Thousand Tongues
to Sing” Aug. 20 after voting 958-51 in support of the historic
agreement.
After the vote, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson hugged Bishop Gregory
Palmer, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, and
thanked all who had labored in dialogue between the religious
traditions founded by towering figures in Christian history – Martin
Luther and John Wesley.
United Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer urges the Lutheran assembly to “enlarge our capacity to embody Christ.”
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“You have taken up centuries of differences and found centuries of commonalities,” he declared.
United Methodists last year gave their overwhelming approval to the
agreement in an 864-19 vote at the 2008 General Conference in Fort
Worth, Texas. It is the first such agreement for United Methodists. The
United Methodist Church has almost 8 million members in the United
States and 11.5 million members worldwide.
Full communion means that each church acknowledges the other as a
partner in the Christian faith, recognizes the authenticity of each
other’s baptism and Eucharist, observes the validity of their
respective ministries and is committed to working together toward
greater unity.
Such a relationship, according to the United Methodist Book of
Discipline, means differences between the two denominations “are not
church dividing.”
Promoting evangelism
Before discussion on the vote began, Palmer told the Lutheran body
that he considered their bilateral engagement to be “deeply
evangelistic work” that helps fulfill the desire of Jesus “that we
might be one in order that the world might believe.”
His audience appeared to agree. A motion to delay the vote until
2011 and refer it back to Hanson’s office was soundly defeated. Several
delegates then rose and enthusiastically called for its passage.
Bishop Stephen Talmage, Grand Canyon Synod, told delegates that he
was baptized in The United Methodist Church, where his sister remains
an active member. But as the head of a large, rural territory, his
interest in the full communion agreement is more than personal.
“This agreement … will allow us to provide a pastoral presence, pastoral ministry in places that are hard to serve,” he said.
In some locations, United Methodist and Lutheran pastors already are
serving in each other's congregations. The agreement provides official
backing and expands such opportunities.
Bishop Callon Holloway, Southern Ohio Synod, agreed that a united
presence is a stronger presence. “The Lutherans in southern Ohio are in
a sea of Methodists … and we are swimming together well,” he said.
“There is work we could not do without our colleagues.”
Steven Chapman, a layperson from the Northwest Washington Synod,
wanted to know what United Methodists would bring to a potluck supper.
Minnesota United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck stepped up to the
microphone to reply. “I think we have the same recipe books,” she
quipped, drawing loud applause.
Mission plans
Lutheran delegates also approved the establishment of a joint
commission to implement the agreement, including assisting joint
planning for mission and developing worship materials to celebrate full
communion.
Palmer referred to the vote when he preached at a communion service
earlier in the day. “Please know of our love and our gratitude for the
partnership we already share,” he said.
He expressed admiration for the “singular grace” of Lutheran
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, who had preached at last year’s United
Methodist General Conference, and amusement over how similar the
Lutheran assembly proceedings seemed to United Methodist legislative
meetings.
“If I close my eyes – except for, say, the occasional references to
Luther rather than Wesley – I’ve been here before,” Palmer said.
“Thanks for making me feel at home.”
Palmer’s sermon focused on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples
during the Last Supper as a way of showing his love for them and the
invitation that action holds for Christians to “bring alongside our
creeds, our deeds.”
Instead of “pining away” for the golden era when mainline
denominations dominated society, Christians need to take hold of this
call to action. Deeds must illuminate the words that Christians use to
define their mission, the bishop said.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Audio
Bishop Palmer's speech
Related Articles
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Resources
ELCA – Bilateral Conversations
Commission on Christian Unity
By Water and the Spirit
This Holy Mystery
Interdenominational Cooperation Fund
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