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Called to Common Mission Archives 1999 - 2000
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A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement
The first round of Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogue began in 1969. The second round concluded in 1981 with a report to the churches which led to the Lutheran-Episcopal Agreement of 1982.
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For Implementation on Acceptance of Full Communion
This venture needs to be characterized by the "Spirit of consultation," as we strive to learn to appreciate and value the distinctive contributions of the other. This is an opportunity to hold a larger conversation on matters of essential concern to both our churches, with the life giving intention of hearing and incorporating an entirely new set of approaches.
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Deepening our Friendship with our Lutheran Neighbors
An old adage wisely states: "A friend is a gift you give yourself." It is an act of trust to welcome another person into our thoughts, plans, and toil. It is a joy to share those things most deeply believed, and a gift to have a "sounding board" when faced with a confusing set of options to a new challenge. To receive another close enough so one can strive alongside of a companion, is a gift you give to yourself.
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A Concordat Evolved
The CONCORDAT document, intended to call the Episcopal Church to a relationship of "full communion" with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, passed the 1997 General Convention with an overwhelming majority vote.
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Common Mission in the City
The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.
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American Lutheran Church Sun City, Arizona
More than 40 years ago informal conversations began. Soon our predecessor churches started having formal dialogues with other churches. We could not have dreamed where those dialogues would lead us. For the most part, the road has brought us into deeper and deeper relationships with other Christians, reaching high points when our predecessor churches agreed to interim eucharistic communion with the Episcopal Church in the early 80s and full communion with Reformed and Moravian churches.
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Clarification on Historic Episcopate and Demand for Retraction from Word Alone
A misunderstanding has been created on the WordAlone website, and falsely attributed to me, as "admitting" that the Episcopal Church believes the Historic Episcopate to be necessary to salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth, either that I believe this or that the Episcopal Church teaches this.
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Mind of the House Resolution
Resolved that the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church specifically acknowledges and declares that the following understandings shall govern our interpretation and acceptance of the document "Called to Common Mission: A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement" within The Episcopal Church.
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Update On Called to Common Mission
The 1999 Churchwide Assembly enthusiastically "Called to Common Mission" (CCM). Some who opposed it nevertheless continue their campaign. They wish to diminish the meaning and purpose of the historic episcopate in the ELCA by a so-called conscience clause to exempt new pastors and new bishops from episcopal succession, or by the creation of a non-geographic synod for objecting pastors and congregations. It will be remembered that the Churchwide Assembly voted against planned exceptions.
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