Q & A on Called to Common Mission:
A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement
If adopted, what will be the impact of CCM on local congregations?
If adopted, what will be the impact of CCM on local congregations?
The primary impact on most of our congregations will be an invitation to see themselves linked with a wider community of other Christians for mission in North America and in the world [CCM 2, 24, 29]
Does accepting CCM imply a merger of the ELCA with the Episcopal Church in the USA?
No. Not at all. The ELCA would retain its own confessions, governance, and relationships, in all of the expressions of the church--congregational, synodical and national [CCM 20, 23].
Will Lutheran congregations be forced to merge with Episcopal congregations?
No. Such decisions could only be made by ELCA congregations themselves, in ways currently recognized by the ELCA.
Will our pastors in future be appointed by the bishop or called by the local congregation?
Our pastors are always called by the congregation, with advice from the synod and the bishop. This pattern of ELCA practice will not change. Sometimes, under advice from the synod office, Episcopal clergy might be available for a congregation to consider calling, but only the congregation will decide to extend a call.
Will future ordinations take place in the congregations?
Ordinations will take place at synod assemblies and in congregations, according to local practice and need, just as they do now.
Will we be using the Episcopal liturgy (Book of Common Prayer) or a new hymnal?
No. Episcopal liturgical material, including the Book of Common Prayer and its supplementary material, evidences profound evangelical faith and excellent liturgical wisdom. It is very worthy of our study. If we adopt the CCM, we will indeed promise to encourage each other to undertake such study. But we will not undertake nor promise to undertake the liturgical use of these books. We have our own, rich liturgical traditions, partly expressed in the Lutheran Book of Worship, and in its various supplementary volumes, such as With One Voice, This Far By Faith and Libro Liturgico y Cantico. As we live together with both Episcopalians and Reformed Christians, we may indeed influence each other's future liturgical developments. The Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, for example, is also worthy of our study. And Reformed Christians and Episcopalians are studying our books. But the CCM would not require of us any change at all of our basic liturgical books [CCM 4].
Who will preside over confirmation?
Our local congregational pastors will oversee the process of confirmation and preside in the rite of confirmation (Affirmation of Baptism), just as they do now.
Can lay people administer sacraments under extraordinary circumstances?
Yes. Our ELCA conference of bishops, in a resolution adopted on March 8, 1999, stated this understanding of the implications of CCM: ". . . lay persons may continue to be licensed in unusual circumstances to administer the sacraments of baptism and holy communion as is the present practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . . ."
What is CCM's understanding of the local congregation?
The CCM has no specific, clearly articulated view of the local congregation, allowing each participating body to explore its own convictions. But there is an implicit view of the local congregation in the CCM: "the church," confesses the document, in language dependent upon the Augsburg Confession, "is constituted and sustained by the Triune God through God's saving action in Word and Sacrament." The primary place of Word and Sacrament, in both Episcopal and Lutheran churches--thus, the very place where "church" is created and sustained--is the local congregation [CCM 5].
What does full communion with the Episcopal church mean?
According the CCM, full communion is a relationship between distinct churches which fully recognize each other as Christ's church and cooperate with each other in witness, life and service [CCM 2].