Lutheran – Uniting Dialogue to release study on holy communion

The Lutheran – Uniting Dialogue, which met in early November at the Uniting Church in Australia’s (UCA) Centre for Theology and Ministry in Melbourne, will soon release a study version of the churches’ agreed statement on holy communion called At the Table. The study will soon be available online. Consider using it for a Lenten study next year – and perhaps organising an ecumenical group to explore the material.

The Lutheran – Uniting Dialogue, composed of theologians appointed by each church, has been underway for more than 40 years, working through our respective confession of the faith. Much has been learned and done throughout the 40-year journey, including a Declaration of Mutual Recognition, with its commitment to work toward formal altar and pulpit fellowship. In the meantime, resources will be prepared for local cooperating congregations.

At its November meeting, the dialogue shared details of each church’s rapid change in local congregations (decreasing size and viability), the supply of ministers/pastors (also rapidly reducing numbers) and the changes in ministry itself, with more laypeople taking on significant roles. All of this is happening in the context of the large-scale secularisation of society. The dialogue remarked on the similarities of our situations and grappling over responses.

There is a clear correspondence in our understanding of ordained ministry and the centrality of God’s word and sacraments for our communities. The Lutheran Church recently resolved that both women and men can be ordained.

The dialogue asks not only how we face each other but also how we face the wider world – not just alone but potentially together. Resourcing and encouraging local engagement and cooperation is an important part of this, as is learning from each other’s service and witness in the public domain. This work will continue as the dialogue serves our common life in Christ.

Rev Greg Pietsch is the dialogue’s Lutheran co-chair, and Rev Paul Stephens is the UCA co-chair.