This commission has met in Tanzania, Canada, and India. Sweden was chosen as the venue for this meeting in order to allow sustained engagement and deepening theological reflection on the theme of diakonia, which has been emerging as the central theme on which this commission wants to make its contribution. The discussion discovered strong links between the “six marks of mission,” which provide a framework for Anglican engagement in God’s mission, and developments in Lutheran understandings of diakonia, as seen in the Diakonia in Context handbook which Kjell Nordstokke from the LWF introduced to the group.

The life of the Christian Church has diaconal character, this commission believes. Using a diaconal lens has allowed the commission to examine issues of ecclesiology and ministry from fresh perspectives. Diakonia and koinonia (communion) are two faces of the same reality, two sides of the same coin on which God’s image is stamped. The commission believes that a renewed and full understanding of diakonia will strengthen the mission and unity of the Church at every level. God is now calling Anglicans and Lutherans to find concrete diaconal expressions for the growing communion between them.

The inseparable relationship of diakonia and communion is integral to the church in every context, but it is expressed in particular ways in each place. As part of its mandate, the commission received regional reports, which reflect a diversity of contexts, needs, and responses. The commission is learning that there is no single pattern for growth in communion; promising initiatives are found in many forms. In some places, the prophetic dimension of diakonia has particular urgency, and in fact is the leading impetus toward greater unity. In others, the most pressing challenge is to bring diakonia closer to the heart of the churches’ life together.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Primary Source • -- Reports & Communiques • * Religion News & Commentary • Ecumenical Relations • Other Churches • Lutheran

1. archangelica wrote: Thanks be to God! This is cause to celebrate and rejoice. As a staff member in a progressive ELCA church, I can tell you that a liberal Lutheran is cut from a different cloth than a liberal member of TEC. My hope is that the Lutherans will have an increasingly positive tonic effect on TEC. We sure need it. May 27, 10:07 am | [comment link]

2. Harry Edmon wrote: I am always thankful that the LCMS is not part of this. May 27, 11:55 am | [comment link]

3. Lutheran-MS wrote: There is not much difference between the Lutheran World Federation and the Anglican Communion in their views. The same with the ELCA and TEC, they are both in lala land. Thank God for the LCMS. May 27, 8:39 pm | [comment link]

4. archangelica wrote: #3 Lutheran-MS, I have spent 20+ years in the Episcopal Church and have served in various capacities in churches in CA, TX, NY, LA, NE. I have been serving in an ELCA church since Novemeber (Reconciling in Christ). Here is what I notice: they are socially progressive but they speak and preach regularly of Christ, Law and Gospel, Grace, Faith, Sin, the Atonement, etc. Unlike many in TEC they are still rooted in the Gospel and have not yet repalced it with the MDG’s. Just try comparing the messages of the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA with those of KJS (i.e. Easter, Lent, Christmas, etc)...one is orthodox and robustly Christian in tone, tenor, style and substance (with ample scripture quotes) the other is social justice propaganda with a nod to Christian metaphors and images. Living Lutheran and being able to attend various events throughout the conference has made me hungry again for Christ and Him alone. I give thanks for the ELCA and hope our full communion agreement with them will enable them to rub off on us more than we rub off on them. But you know what they say about apples. May 28, 3:55 pm | [comment link]

5. physician without health wrote: Several months ago, I attended a hymn festival here in Tucson, which took place at an ELCA church.  The singing was wonderful, but the “devotions” which were given by a member of the faculty at Luther Seminary (St. Paul MN) bordered on abject heresy.  I too thank God for LCMS! May 29, 12:55 am | [comment link]

Registered members must log in to comment.