September 1, 2009
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
On separate occasions last week, a few church members asked me what I thought about the “merger between the Lutherans and the Methodists.” Each time, my response was both corrective and instructive, as there is much to celebrate and clarify about the landmark development between these two denominations. So, here is a quick primer:
Q. What has taken place?
A. It’s not a “merger.” The official term is “full communion.” The United Methodist Church (UMC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have agreed to recognize a long list of shared attributes, including:
· a common confession of the Christian faith, as attested in both the Lutheran Confessions and the Doctrinal Standards of the United Methodist Church.
· a mutual recognition of Baptism and a sharing of the Lord’s Supper, allowing for joint worship;
· an interchangeability of ordained ministers between the two denominations, subject to the disciplinary regulations of the host church. This means, for example, that in underserved communities, a Lutheran or United Methodist pastor could serve a church of the other denomination;
· a shared commitment to evangelism, witness, service, public unity, and common decisions on issues of faith and life.
Put more simply, both denominations now agree that they have more in common than their differences, and are unified in accomplishing the same goals. Any disparity in our beliefs and practices is not incompatible, but enriching, and contributes to a fuller understanding of the Christian faith. The bottom line remains, however, that this is not a merger. There will be no changes to the names, structure, or doctrine of either church, from the denominational level down to individual congregations.
Q. I still don’t get it. How about an analogy?
A. Here’s one that might be helpful. Consider two pharmaceutical research companies. For decades, they have established their own identities as leading, and competing, manufactures of prescription drugs. Imagine that one day, they hold a joint press conference announcing that they have agreed to work together to eradicate Parkinson’s Disease. They clarify that they are not talking about a merger of the two businesses. They will remain separate companies, with their own branding and organizational structure. But because they believe that the cause of defeating the disease transcends their nominal differences, they have decided fully to share their research with each other, allow open access of their scientists to each other’s laboratories, and present before the public a unified front in their common mission. At one point during the announcement, one of the spokespersons says, “We will still be separate companies. But in the things that really matter, we’re on the same team.”
Imagine the headline-grabbing attention this kind of announcement would create. In a time when separate companies are expected to be cut-throat and competitive, this development would put cause before competition, and mission before distinction.
Q. Was this a sudden decision?
A. No. The two denominations have been studying this through prayerful dialogue for 32 years. Joint commissions have examined our common understandings of baptism (1977-1979), the authority and function of bishops (1985-1987), and many other issues including communion (2001-2007). In 2005, a joint committee began drafting a document called “Confessing Our Faith Together” which constituted our statement of full communion. The General Conference of the United Methodist Church adopted it in April 2008, and the General Assembly of the ELCA adopted it a few weeks ago.
Q. How unique is this agreement?
A. For United Methodists, this is a historic development. This is the first such agreement ever between the UMC and a denomination outside the Methodist family. The ELCA has made similar agreements with five other denominations, including the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Reformed churches.
Q. How will this affect the relationship between St. Paul’s UMC and Bethlehem Lutheran, here in town?
A. This is cause for celebration, and my friend Rev. Jim Steen and I have spoken to express our mutual appreciation for this development. In coming weeks we will have further conversations with lay leadership and consider ways to observe this new relationship between the two congregations. As the denominations’ joint commission produces resources and guidelines for shared worship and other programming, we will explore opportunities for partnered ministry. Frankly, this announcement formally affirms the ecumenical spirit our congregations have enjoyed over the years. Our church members have many close friends at Bethlehem, and we have shared in numerous projects for the Cherokee community, including the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race and the Lenten series “Sermons a la Carte.”
Q. Is it weird to think about Luther and Wesley on the same team?
A. Not at all! I like to remember that even though John Wesley and Martin Luther were born over two hundred years apart, they shared a moment of significant spiritual convergence in 1738. Then, a young, disillusioned Wesley walked “very unwillingly” into a church service on Aldersgate Street in London. Deeply discouraged by a miserable missions trip to America, his faith was plagued by doubt and disbelief. That night, as the preacher read aloud a commentary on the book of Romans, Wesley would later recount:
About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.
This significant conversion experience in John Wesley would not have happened were it not for Martin Luther, the author of that commentary. As a result, a re-energized Wesley sparked a renewal movement throughout Great Britain and America, and ultimately birthed the tradition we claim as our own. This agreement of full communion acknowledges, among many other things, that our spiritual heritage is shared with, and even indebted to, our Lutheran forebears. For Wesley and Luther, we join in grateful thanks.
So, this is great reason for celebration. Next time you see a friend from Bethlehem Lutheran, greet them as you would a member of a new family. As for me? I like to think that now I am one less degree of separation from Garrison Keillor.
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
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