Lutheran-Mennonite Dialogue Begins

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dialogue between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Mennonite Church U.S.A. has begun. An Anabaptist-Mennonite school, Goshen College, hosted teams from both churches Feb. 21-24 in and around Goshen, Ind. Overcoming a contentious and sometimes bloody history will be a theme of this first round of talks.
"Included in this round of conversation were reflections upon the Protestant Reformation, the experience of each church in the North American context, and the role and authority of confessional writings. A key element in the dialogue will be an examination of the persecution of Anabaptists by Lutherans and others, and the healing of those painful memories," said a communique from the dialogue.
"It is our hope that our deepening fellowship will strengthen both faith communities for mission in the world," said the dialogue members.
Lutheran members of the dialogue are: + the Rev. Janyce C. Jorgensen, Jacobus, Pa., past director of continuing education, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. + the Rev. Russell L. Meyer, Faith Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Fla. + the Rev. David G. Truemper, professor and chair, Department of Theology, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.
Truemper co-chairs the dialogue for the Lutherans. The Rev. Paul A. Schreck, associate for bilateral dialogues, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs, Chicago, staffs the dialogue.
Mennonite members of the dialogue are: + Dr. Thomas N. Finger, professor of systematic and spiritual theology, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Va. + Dr. James C. Juhnke, professor of history, Bethel College, North Newton, Kan. + Dr. Gayle Gerber Koontz, professor of theology and ethics, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. + Dr. John D. Roth, professor of history and director of the Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College, Goshen, Ind.
Finger staffs and co-chairs the dialogue for the Mennonites.
Anabaptists hold generally that the Christian sacrament of Baptism is valid upon confession of faith. "Anabaptism" means "re-baptism." Mennonites take their name from the "Mennonite Confession of Faith," which was developed by such Anabaptists as Menno Simons.
Lutherans take their name from the followers of Martin Luther, a German monk whose writings led to the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
In 16th century Europe, Lutherans complied in the execution of thousands of Anabaptists for their belief in the complete separation of church and state, which threatened the church-state society of the day.
Most dialogue participants presented papers during the inaugural session: + Finger, "Confessions of Faith in the Anabaptist/Mennonite Tradition" + Jorgensen, "Characteristics of North American Lutheranism" + Juhnke, "Mennonite History in North America: Some Reflections for Dialogue with Lutherans" + Meyer, "Turning Point: A Reflection on the Impact of the Peasant's Revolt of 1525" + Roth, "A Historical Context" + Truemper, "The Role and Authority of the Lutheran Confessional Writings: Do Lutherans Really 'Condemn the Anabaptists'?"
"In coming months we expect to explore each church's [methods] for interpreting Scripture, the role and authority of church structures, and the relationship between church and state," said the dialogue's communique.
"In the course of the next three years topics will include Baptism, the Lord's Supper, nonresistance and nonviolence, pacificism and the gospel of peace, anthropology and free will, and other topics. Throughout the dialogue, members of congregations will have opportunities to meet with and discuss these issues as we seek to deepen levels of trust and cooperation between our two church bodies," the communique said.
The second meeting of the dialogue will be Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Chicago.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html