and was present at the beginning of time.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 16, 2010
ELCA, United Methodist Church Embark on New Relationship
"This new relationship of full communion marks a denominational milestone in the ecumenical history of The United Methodist Church," said the Rev. Stephen J. Sidorak Jr., general secretary, UMC General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
"We're really excited about it," said Sidorak.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 15, 2010
LCMS Convention Votes to Continue Cooperative Work with ELCA
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HOUSTON (ELCA) - Delegates to the national convention here of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) voted overwhelmingly July 15 to continue cooperative work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) "with theological integrity," and asked that its leaders assess and report on the current state of cooperation in one year.
Resolution 3-03, "Cooperation in Externals with Theological Integrity" was adopted with minor amendments, 961-175, following a lengthy discussion by delegates.
In response the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, said in a statement that the ELCA "affirms the cooperation in externals with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod that provides care for all people. The outreach provided by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran World Relief, and Lutheran Disaster Response has provided for the needs of people in our country and in places throughout the world."
"We have a mutual commitment to serve our neighbor and respond to the cry of people in need," he wrote. "The opportunities to provide care are and will be with us. Concerning the need to provide formal and serious discussion on issues that might develop in our cooperation, the ELCA is open to being a partner with the LCMS in discussing any concern."
The LCMS resolution refers to the sexuality actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and a response to those actions produced by a task force appointed by the LCMS president, "Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions."
The resolution stated that:
+ "cooperation in externals with other churches, including the ELCA, continue with theological integrity"
+ the LCMS gives "thanks to God for the opportunity to give witness to God's care for all people through such cooperative work"
+ the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), in consultation with the LCMS president, vice president and others will "develop more in-depth theological criteria for assessing cooperative endeavors, determining what would necessitate termination of such cooperative efforts"
+ the LCMS president and vice presidents, in consultation with the CTCR, "provide an assessment of the current state of cooperation in externals and a full report of criteria for ongoing assessment of the same by July 13, 2011."
