Alaska Provincial News
Full Communion Talks Begin at Synod 2008
By Pastor Nicholson
Feb 12, 2008, 15:05

Bishop Keyes shared greetings from the five Native Lutheran Churches (Nome, Brevik Mission, Shishmaref and Anchorage communities).  He also shared that there is interest in beginning conversation with native Moravians.  Among other comments shared:  “It’s not about becoming one; instead we must create a bridge of ministry and commitment to Christ’s mission which is part of the heritage of the Lutheran and Moravian Churches.  The AMC has already been a blessing for the Lutheran Church.  The Moravians in Alaska are decades ahead of preparing native people to administer and lead congregations.  We would like to borrow from the Moravians some examples of how the young and old are being taught.  We have learned that you have a special care and ministry in villages that has taken on a dynamic of healing and hope.  We see that you have raised up young people to lead and we are learning from you positive ways of ministering to youth in Alaska.”

The Lutheran Bishop shared that they in turn can help Moravian Church members since they have congregations all over the Mat Su Valley and Fairbanks.  They have resource dollars that can be leveraged.  One of the thoughts he had is that they may be able to use funds for youth events.  An example cited is “bringing all the Norton Sound young people together with Alaska Provincial Youth in a special retreat in Kenai, Alaska or some other area.”  Ministries are already in place in Fairbanks for youth and adults.  In essence he says they would like to empower our college-aged students through faith-based organized meetings.  The native culture is written off too soon; maybe what needs to happen is “we can take a step together” in mission at Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Mat Su Valley.  “Together we can create bridges of relationship through the songs we can sing, scripture shared and through fellowship together.”

Additional comments from the Bishop Keyes:  Education is a big focus.  They have several Lutheran Theological Seminaries.  In Alaska there are 10,000 Lutheran members and among them are 3,000 Alaska Natives.  He says that there are problems in the Church with a disconnect between native elders and young people.  Often-times the youth leave the village and they take on a “false dream or false hope”.  Elders and young people can work together to restore persons and restore the church.

All-in-all Bishop Michael Keyes stated that we can be “good partners, without losing who we are, but really gaining new brothers and sisters, and new friends who care.”  He encourages the Moravian Church to “enter into dialogue, but recognize clearly that the aim is not to formalize a relationship at this time, but to continue to talk about what the Lord Jesus wants to unfold.”

In response to the Bishop’s remarks on the floor, Synod Chairperson, The Rev. Peter Green allowed questions and dialogue to happen.  The following concerns were heard on the floor:

A question was asked by a Moravian Church representative on the current status of the ELCA Church in regards to the issue of ordination of gay clergy.  Bishop Keyes made it clear that although the issue is being discussed nationally, the present stance of the Lutheran Church is against ordination of persons who practice same sex relationships.

Comments were heard that over the centuries, God has blessed the Moravian Church because of the Lutheran influence.  The Father and mentor of the Renewed Moravian Church, Count Nicholas Von Zinzendorf was an ordained Lutheran minister who influenced the development of the Moravian Church in Germany at Herrnhut and later on in colonial America during the 18^th Century.

There is a lot to learn about the Lutherans in America today.

Discussion then centered on the political stance of the Moravian Church in America to other denominations.  It was recognized that the concept of unity is discussed in the Book of Order of the Unitas Fratrum.  The Alaska Moravian Church follows its Book of Order that is in line with the Book of Order of the Unity.  Relationships with other churches is spelled out in Chapter 1 –The Unity.  On page two it states, “recognizing the power of the Cross of Christ in reconciling them to one another” and through the experience of Moravian Pentecost “a profound and decisive experience of this unity was given to them”; and “from this experience of conscious unity came zeal and strength to share this fellowship in Christ with other branches of the Church Universal, and joy to serve wherever they found any open door.”

Also stated in the Book of Order of the AMC on Page two and three:  “The Unitas Fratrum cherishes its unity as a valuable treasure entrusted to it by the Lord.  It stands for the oneness of all mankind given by the reconciliation through Jesus Christ.  Therefore the ecumenical movement is of its very lifeblood.  For over five centuries it has pointed towards the unity of the scattered children of God that they may become one in their Lord.”

In the Book of Order entitled The Unitas Fratrum as a Unity, page five it says, “we confess our share in the guilt which is manifest in the severed and divided state of Christendom.  By means of such divisions we ourselves hinder the message and power of the Gospel.  We recognize the danger of self-righteousness and judging others without love”.

Under Part II, Essential Features of the Unity, Chapter One, The Unitas Fratrum and It’s Congregations, page seven it says, “a church is a living one when it:  ministers to its neighbor and seeks brotherhood with all who confess Christ”.

After the Book of Order discussion (shown above) Chair Person Green ordered that the Healing Committee will deal further with the issue and if any resolution on Full Communion talks come out of the healing committee, the issue will be dealt with on the main synod floor for approval or disapproval.

In the Healing Committee, made up of about fifteen Church delegates, headed up by Bishop-elect The Rev. William Nicholson, discussion was lively and fruitful for continued dialogue.  The only Church among the 22 Alaska Moravian Churches, the Anchorage Moravian Church, presented a formal written position statement which was handed out to the healing committee and copied for all Moravian synod members.  This position statement was “against entering talks” with the Lutheran Church.  A statement and question was made by a healing committee member that if Bishop Keyes had the opportunity to share his information, and if the Book of Order information was provided to the Anchorage congregation, would the AncMC have thought differently?

A recommendation was made by the healing committee to the 2008 Synod floor that the AMC enter into talks with the Lutheran Church.  The resolution #01-08 reads as follows:

Whereas the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the Northern and Southern Provinces, the Moravian Church in America entered Full Communion status in Autumn 1999, and

Whereas the Lutheran-Moravian Coordinating Committee is encouraging the Alaska Province to take a similar action, and

Whereas the ECLA, Alaska Synod Bishop, Michael Keyes in encouraging the Alaska Province to enter conversation with native leaders to establish a bridge of ministry where we establish relationship by sharing songs and scriptures, and

Whereas from the Synod floor after the ELCA Bishop’s presentation there has been a positive desire to move forward in discussion with the Lutheran Church,

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that an Alaska Province-Lutheran Advisory Committee be formed made up of the Seminary Dean, Seminary Trustees Chairperson, APB President, Bishop Jacob Nelson, District designees Pastor/Elder (five in number), Provincial Director, and

That Moravians in Alaska Province visit Lutheran Churches during

2008, and

Finally Be It Resolved that Youth concerns be a major focus on

future dialogue.

On February 8, 2008, Synod Healing Committee resolution #01-08 was presented to the floor.  After floor discussion the resolution was approved unanimously.