Anglican/Lutheran Dialogue

Movers Davies, G.

That General Synod welcomes the Second Report of the Anglican- Lutheran Dialogue and notes the report of the Doctrine Commission which states that Common Ground, as supplemented by the Second Report, is in conformity with Anglican doctrine and other agreed ecumenical statements. Accordingly, General Synod:
(a) Affirms the vision set out in paragraph 4.1 of the First Report: We recognise each other as churches that, despite our failings, stand in the continuity of apostolic faith and ministry. We acknowledge that in each other’s ordained ministries gospel oversight and administration of the means of grace are authentic and effective. We pledge to work together to develop joint participation in mission and witness, and to continue to seek ways of manifesting the uni1y that is ours in Christ.
(b) Approves the proposal set out in paragraph 4.2 of the First In particular, we believe that the agreement in faith and order we have reached is sufficient basis for a national Covenant by which regional agreements for eucharistic hospitality and recognition of ministry may be entered into. Under this covenant each church may invite and welcome the members of the other church in a particular locality to share in Holy Communion and to receive pastoral care according to need.
(c) Adopts the text of the Covenant:
The Anglican Church of Australia and the Lutheran Church of Australia do solemnly covenant together as follows.
OUR UNITY IN CHRIST
God has reconciled us to himself in Christ. We have been joined to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, and have been reconciled to God in one body through the cross. We already share the one baptism and participate together in the unity of the Spirit.
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, we desire to manifest and maintain together, in the bond of peace, this unity which has been given to us in Christ.
OUR COVENANT
We recognise each other as churches that, despite our failings, stand in the continuity of apostolic faith and ministry. We acknowledge that in each other’s ordained ministries gospel oversight and administration of the means of grace are authentic and effective. We pledge to work together to develop joint participation in mission and witness, and to continue to seek ways of manifesting the unity that is ours in Christ.
We believe that the agreement in faith and order we have reached is sufficient basis for regional agreements for eucharistic hospitality and recognition of ministry. Under this covenant each church may invite and welcome the members of the other church in a particular locality to share in Holy Communion and to receive pastoral care according to need.
GROWING TOGETHER
We undertake to continue to work together towards a Concordat for full communion and reconciliation of ministries, with full eucharistic sharing and interchangeability of members and ordained ministries Australia-wide.
Together we make our prayer that, being rooted and grounded in love, we may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(d) The Anglican Church formally commits itself to enter into this Covenant with the Lutheran Church
(e) The Anglican Church affirms its willingness to work with the Lutheran Church in the process of developing a
distinct episcopal office.
(f) Each Church enacts the Covenant by whatever measures are appropriate for each Church.
(g) Invites the House of Bishops to appoint a joint Anglican/Lutheran Consultation to
i) prepare national guidelines for Eucharistic sharing,
ii) monitor local cooperation between Anglicans and Lutherans
iii) continue to explore the outstanding areas of difference in doctrine and practice, particularly with regard to episcopal and diaconal ministry, initiation and Church membership, and relationships with other Churche

Resolution year: 2004
Resolution number: 78/04