Healing Divisions Within the One Church

1. Name some examples of painful divisions in the Church.

Baptism

• refusal to acknowledge baptism (must be re-baptized)
• controversy over baptism as infants vs. adults/immersion or sprinkling

Eucharist

• not permitted to receive the Eucharist (or restrictions as to who may receive the Eucharist)/wine vs., grape juice
• weekly communion

Worship

• traditional worship vs. contemporary

Ecumenical Relationships

• traditional practices become a barrier to ecumenical relations
• ELCIC and Lutheran Church-Canada
• not working together in Ministerial groups, World Day of Prayer, etc.

Doctrinal differences

• misunderstanding of other church doctrine
• losing some of the Lutheran foundation found in the Lutheran Confessions
• literal interpretations vs. non-literal interpretation
• errors in interpretation and translation
• orthodox/catholic/protestant

Clergy Issues

• ordination of women
• role of women
• clergy discrimination/discrimination against clergy
• stringent screening of Pastors, Youth Leaders — all leaders that could in any way have unhealthy or violent influence on others

Prayer

• praying to saints

Human Relationships

• discrimination based on sexual preference, including marriage of homosexuals
• non-acceptance of common-law relationships
• discrimination based on age, origin, gender, economics and beliefs
• divorce
• belief in birth control
• turf boundaries
  
  

2. How do you feel the ELCIC (or your congregation) should address these divisions with ecumenical and other Lutheran partners?

Communication/dialogue

• be non-judgmental
• be diplomatic
• joining in world-wide needs
• learn more about them/education
• accept differences and focus on similarities

Worship and Prayer

• World Day of Prayer
• worship services

Communion practices

• Pastors need to confront this issue to bring understanding to those who disagree (referring to infant and children communion)
• common Eucharist

Working Together

• joint theological studies and later seminary discussions
• joint VBS, camps, youth events and ELW
• be persistent with LCC
• share services with Anglicans
• pastoral exchange
  
  

Bishop Ray asks:

As Lutherans in Canada prepare for the Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation in Winnipeg, how is your congregation working with other churches and other Christians?

Worship and Biblical Reflection

• World Day of Prayer
• attend other faith events
• pulpit exchange
• Bible studies
• Anglican-Lutheran joint services
• attending community Lenten worship services

Community Ministry

• sharing in social ministry by supporting CLWR and GHDA, LAMP
• volunteering and funding of Community food banks and other community social assistance groups
• providing church facilities for use of community groups
• supporting other denominations in specific social ministries
• Pastor participating in local Ministerial Association
• inviting others to share in projects, programs, activities

Other

• talking one-on-one with other Christians and non-Christians
• more involvement of laity in interdenominational discussions
• seminars for youth
• benevolence offerings and special drives