Title: ELCA Board Examines Sacramental Practice Statement ELCA NEWS SERVICE October 17, 1996 ELCA BOARD EXAMINES SACRAMENTAL PRACTICE STATEMENT 96-23-068-MR CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A proposed statement on sacramental practices in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was examined and amended by the board of the church's Division for Congregational Ministries at its meeting here Oct. 11-13. A unanimous vote in support of the "The Use of the Means of Grace: A Proposed Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament" brought the work of the division's Task Force on Sacramental Practices to a conclusion. The board recommended that the ELCA Church Council print the document and distribute it to the church for study. The Church Council will review the document here Nov. 8-11. The board also recommended that the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopt the amended document as a replacement for the 1989 statement on Communion practices. ELCA bishops reviewed the statement at their conference in White Haven, Pa., Oct. 3-8. "The bishops expressed their affirmation and appreciation to the task force, for the quality of the proposed statement, with applause," reported the Rev. Paul R. Nelson, director for worship. The board's revision of the statement focused on theology, clarifications and writing style. "The overall project describes the use for common practice and understanding without insisting on a rigid uniformity for congregations to follow in the long run," said Nelson. In its draft form, the statement's section on Holy Communion, particularly in the case of communing young children, received more comments from respondents than the other four sections: preface, Proclamation of the Word, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion. The new statement says, "Admission to the Sacrament (Holy Communion) is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the church to those who are baptized." This is consistent with the church's 1989 statement on Communion practices. The proposed statement still does not suggest a specific age at which children should begin to receive Communion. The statement says, "There is no command from our Lord regarding the age at which people should be baptized or first communed. Congregations of this church may establish policies regarding the age of admission to Holy Communion." "The real tension exists between specifying an age and/or grade level and allowing flexibility for the congregation," said the Rev. Nancy Amacher, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Shoreview, Minn. "The congregation, with the guidance of the document, can engage in lively discussion and make a decision for themselves regarding 'the age of admission to Holy Communion,'" she said. "The document provides the best possible reflection of the church as a whole," said Richard Moe, Sioux Falls, S.D., board chair. "I was highly impressed with the care and concern the board members had taken to ensure that the concerns from all over the church received consideration," said Moe. "The ELCA is clearly a church in which practices differ a great deal. Often it is evident that those diferences are based on region of the country and predecessor church body. There are also other bases, such as orientation toward membership growth," said the Rev. Michael R. Rothaar, the division's director for planning. "With the review and refinement by the bishops, by the task force, and by the instrumental work of the board, the document will effectively serve the work of the church," said the Rev. Wyvetta Bullock, the division's executive director. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955 or [log in to unmask]