Synod Documents

• Council Minutes and Highlights

     February 2007   September 2007   February 2008

• Guidelines for Interfaith Worship
• Guidelines for Licensing of Lay Persons for Word and Sacrament in the Montana Synod ELCA
• Interim Contract
• Resolution of Support for Members of the Armed Forces
• Prayer for Those Serving in the Military
• Mission Strategy
• Stewardship Strategy
• Synod Constitution
  

GUIDELINES FOR INTERFAITH WORSHIP
Montana Synod , Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Interfaith Cooperation

The development of interfaith relationships by Christian churches has had a difficult history. On the one hand is the worry about syncretism and thinning-out the Christian message of salvation freely given through the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the other hand is the worry about Christians becoming ignorant, disrespectful, and even imperialistic toward other religions. For example, Jews have had a justifiable fear of a Christian "theology of supersession," claiming that God's covenant with Israel has been abrogated and replaced by the new covenant in Jesus Christ. And Native Americans have endured the verdict by many Christians that their religions have been primitive and inferior. More and more, however, Christians are convinced that respectful coexistence and informed cooperation are indispensable to the vitality of a pluralistic society. Moreover, we are learning that the power of Christian witness is not demonstrated in political and cultural domination, but in the love, respect, and justice we can show to non-Christians. Every religion will stake claims to total and absolute truth. Thankfully, a growing number of adherents of the world's religious traditions are trying to exercise restraint and self-criticism in stating how their own claims to truth impact others.

Christians should not deny the centrality of Jesus Christ in defining for us the nature of God and the means of salvation, but should be sensitive and respectful to the ways in which the divine is described and encountered in other religions. John the evangelist reported that Jesus, the eternal Word, "was the true light that enlightens everyone coming into the world" (1:9). This makes it impossible to contend that those outside the Christian tradition are entirely devoid of the truth. We must respect and work within the situation of religious pluralism, yet realize that if you are too successful at being a pluralist you will surrender your own religion!

Martin Luther taught that Christians come to the knowledge of God "from below," through the self-emptying and suffering love of Jesus Christ. We do not meet God at the level of divine perfection, but God meets us at the level of our human dependency: "I came to call not the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:13 ). Likewise, in interfaith relationships, Christians must put aside triumphalistic smugness, and meet our neighbors with a grateful, confident, and open sense for truth born of God's encounter with us "from below."

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a deep commitment to interfaith exploration and cooperation. In its Constitution, the ELCA commits itself to "serve in response to God's love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their needs" (4.02c).

To fulfill this purpose for the sake of persons even beyond the Church, the ELCA commits itself to "Develop relationships with communities of other faiths for dialogue and common action" (4.03f). This church will also "Lift its voice in concord and work in concert with forces for good, to serve humanity, cooperating with church and other groups, participating in activities that promote justice, relieve misery, and reconcile the estranged (4.03g).

Worship Together

Interfaith cooperation in the Montana Synod is the remarkable opportunity better to understand, appreciate, and support different faith traditions. The territory of this synod is also home to Native American faith, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Bahai, and other religious traditions. Because worship makes explicit truth claims and is the consummate act of personal devotion to a faith tradition, joint interfaith worship requires careful scrutiny and limits. The Trinitarian and Christological identity of God in Christian teaching should not be surrendered or concealed. Although in matters of creation, ethics, and the life of holiness the Christian can find parallels with other faith traditions, in the matter of redemption Christians affirm the uniqueness of God's action in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ. The following guidelines are the expectations of the Montana Synod.

1) A request to visit a Jewish synagogue, Muslim mosque, Indian holy site and ceremony, etc., is appropriate. It is an opportunity to show friendship, respect, and growth in understanding. Be sure to ask the host religious leaders beforehand how your group should observe religious etiquette and avoid offensive behavior. It is not appropriate to have a "joint worship" combining elements from each tradition and religious leaders from each tradition. Make it clear that you are coming as observers, not participants in their worship.

2) Arrangements for any type of interfaith worship participation must always include the involvement of rostered Lutheran leaders, such as the pastor, associate in ministry, and diaconal minister. These persons represent not only the congregation but also the office of ministry and teachings of the Lutheran church. In ecumenical and interfaith activities, the partnering groups of all sides should be officially represented or authorized. The bishop of the synod should be advised of interfaith worship events.

3) Be aware that some religious traditions which claim to be Christian are not so regarded by Lutheran and other Christian churches which represent the creedal and liturgical "great tradition" of the Christian Church. Mormonism, for example, can be considered a Christian heresy, since it permits teachings from another revealer (Joseph Smith) and another holy scripture (Book of Mormon ). From the Lutheran point of view, Mormonism is best regarded as one among other non-Christian religious traditions. It is not appropriate to worship with Mormons, or, or invite Mormons to worship with Lutherans. Besides Mormons, other examples of non-Christian (unorthodox) traditions are Unitarianism (which denies creedal subscription to the Trinity), and the Unification Church of Sun Myong Moon (he claims to be a successor to the revelation given by Christ).

4) It is appropriate for Lutherans and other religious groups to join in dialogue, celebration, and cooperation with respect to common causes. For example, it is appropriate to forge common bonds against discrimination in society; to celebrate national holidays like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and July 4 th ; or to commemorate events like the Holocaust, the Nez Perce flight under Chief Joseph, or the Palestinian quest of homeland. The respective religious leaders should take the lead in preparing the ceremony. Prayers may be offered, provided they are offered by each group in the language and form appropriate to each group.

5) It is expected that Lutherans of the Montana Synod will take the utmost care in planning their participation with other religious groups. Due consideration should be extended to those who express reservations about this exercise of Christian liberty, for as St. Paul cautioned, "take heed lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak" (I Corinthians 8:9). Be aware, also, that some partners, without your knowledge and consent, may use worship and cooperative events for their own political influence. Make it clear that Lutherans do not identify the Gospel with a particular political agenda or party.

Where opportunities for prayer and observation of worship succeed, we have gone far to advance our commitment to Jesus Christ, and to the Great Commandment to love God and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37 -38).

6) If further counsel or assistance is desired, contact the Montana Synod office or the Montana Synod Ecumenical Representative.

Adopted by the Montana Synod Council 09-13-03 .

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

WHEREAS: Members of the ELCA have differing opinions on the necessity and morality of the recent war in Iraq.

WHEREAS: ELCA members serving in the Armed Forces are entitled to the support and respect of the members of this church.

WHEREAS: Faithful military service to one's country is consistent with Christian principles. (Article 16 of the Augsburg Confession states that our churches teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God and that it is right for Christians to hold civil office, to sit as judges, to decide matters by the imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, etc.)

WHEREAS: This synod has an opportunity to show appropriate appreciation for those who have faithfully answered a "call to arms" as part of their Christian vocation in the world.

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED : That the Montana Synod of the ELCA affirms those members of the ELCA serving in all branches of the Armed Forces, most recently those returning from recent duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, as legitimately exercising their Christian vocation and responsibility in the world.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a strong statement of support be forwarded from the national office to all ELCA chaplains, service women and men, veterans, and others who participate in military operations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be forwarded to the Montana Synod Council for action and forwarding to the ELCA Church Council for further action.

PRAYER FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

Guidelines for Licensing of Lay Persons for Word and Sacrament in the Montana Synod ELCA

Approved by the Montana Synod Council
May 18, 2001

Section 7.61.01 in the ELCA Constitution and By Laws provides for the licensing of lay persons by Synodical bishops for Word and Sacrament ministry “where it is not possible to provide appropriate pastoral leadership.” In 1996, based upon this provision, the ELCA Church Council adopted a set of “Guidelines Related to Synodically Authorized or Licensed Ministries” in order to establish a set of basic standards for licensing across the church, while at the same affirming that the need for and the shape of such ministry will vary from synod to synod.

The Montana Synod, in seeking to make its own practice of licensed ministry accountable to ELCA standards, and at the same time, in recognizing the particular needs of our congregations for this ministry, hereby outlines the following understandings:

1. Need for Licensed Ministry

In keeping with the ELCA provision that licensing of lay persons for Word and Sacrament is for situations “where it is not possible to provide appropriate ordained pastoral leadership,” licensing in the Montana Synod will normally be done in settings where geographical isolation makes it difficult for a congregation to obtain the services of an ordained pastor—either for Sunday supply or in cases of pastoral vacancy. In addition, licensing may be authorized for lay persons who serve together with an ordained pastor in providing Word and Sacrament in multiple-point parishes where distances make it difficult for the pastor to cover each congregation of the parish on a given Sunday.

 

2. Procedure for Licensing

Licensing is done by the bishop upon the request of the congregation(s) to be served. A request, by letter or by telephone, made either by the congregational president or by the pastor who has responsibility for the congregation, is to be directed to the bishop in advance of the Sundays or period of time for which licensing is sought. The bishop, in turn, will provide a letter of authorization, with copies sent to the congregational president(s) and to the licensed minister.

 

3. Persons who may be Licensed

Lay persons who normally will be licensed for Word and Sacrament ministry in the Montana Synod include:

4. Term of Licensing

Lay Ministry Policy 5/01