NALC and ELCA Dialog

NALC, ELCA leaders meet for the first time

In response to a resolution passed by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), seeking conversation with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), four representatives of each church body met on Feb. 6-7, 2012, in Indianapolis for discussion of areas of disagreement, interest and concern.

The NALC representatives were: the Rev. Dr. David Wendel, Ministry Coordinator and Ecumenical Relations Officer; the Rev. Dr. Michael Tavella, Dean of the Atlantic Mission District; the Rev. James T. Lehmann, Dean of the Great Rivers Mission District; and Mr. Ryan Schwarz, Treasurer.

The ELCA representatives were: the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop: Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations; the Rev. Dr. Marcus Kunz, Assistant to the Bishop: Executive for Theological Discernment; the Rev. Dr. Marcus C. Lohrmann, Bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod; and the Rev. Kathryn Tiede, pastor of Living Waters Lutheran Church and member of the Church Council.

In the 24 hours spent together, the representatives prayed, had Bible study and devotions, and engaged in cordial and candid conversation. This meeting was not intended to, nor did the participants seek to, resolve issues between the two church bodies. Rather, the participants sought to share and clarify disagreements to improve mutual understanding.

Practical matters related to local mission and ministry were also significant topics of discussion, with hopes of future resolution. This meeting, which was the first between the two bodies since the formation of the NALC in 2010, constituted an opening of lines of communication between the two churches. The representatives discussed the possibility of future meetings.