Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Division for Congregational Ministries

At the 1989 churchwide Assembly "A Statement on Communion Practices" was approved for continued use in the ELCA. The Conference of Bishops had recommended a statement on sacramental practices be prepared as a guide to the ELCA and that such a study be carried out by a committee comprised of persons representing the Conference of Bishops, the teaching theologians of this church, the Division of Ministry, the division for Congregational Ministries, and the Department for Ecumenical Affairs.

Because of budget reductions implementation of the study process was delayed until 1994. The time line for the project was extended twice, so that the statement, "The Use of the Means of Grace," ultimately was presented to and approved by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly.

A 16-member Task Force on Sacramental Practices composed of synodical bishops, teaching theologians, congregational leaders, and the staff and board of the DCM, was named in August of 1993 and began its work with a meeting on November 18-21, 1993. Members of the task force were Bishop Richard F. Bansemer, the Rev. Karen G. Bockelman (chair), Ms. Judith Ann Cobb, Ms. Marilyn Comer, the Rev. Joseph Donella, the Rev. Julie A. Ebbesen, Ms. Mavis Hamre, Prof. Sarah Henrich, the Rev. Richard Hermstad, the Rev. Craig Johnson, the Rev. Ivis LaRiviera-Mestre, Prof. Gordon W. Lathrop, Bishop Charles H. Maahs, Ms. Marilyn Miller, the Rev. Paul H. Rohde, and Prof. Ralph Smith. The Task Force named an Editorial Committee, which was charged with drafting a statement.

The DCM defined the goal of the task force as "a theologically responsible guide to contemporary practice." The process included the review of preliminary materials by approximately 100 reviewers, including seminary professors of systematic and liturgical theology, ten percent of the synod worship leaders network, and a broad range of specific ministries, including multicultural settings, ecumenical settings, and others.

A first draft was mailed to all rostered leaders of the ELCA in April 1995, which initiated a year-long process of commentary, including a forum at the 1995 Churchwide Assembly. The Task Force and Editorial Committee revised the first draft during the summer and fall of 1996. The resultant draft was reviewed and approved by the Conference of Bishops, the Church Council, and the DCM board. The statement was discussed, amended, and approved by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly for "guidance and practice" in the ELCA.

At the 1989 churchwide Assembly "A Statement on Communion Practices" was approved for continued use in the ELCA. The Conference of Bishops had recommended a statement on sacramental practices be prepared as a guide to the ELCA and that such a study be carried out by a committee comprised of persons representing the Conference of Bishops, the teaching theologians of this church, the Division of Ministry, the division for Congregational Ministries, and the Department for Ecumenical Affairs.

Because of budget reductions implementation of the study process was delayed until 1994. The time line for the project was extended twice, so that the statement, "The Use of the Means of Grace," ultimately was presented to and approved by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly.

A 16-member Task Force on Sacramental Practices composed of synodical bishops, teaching theologians, congregational leaders, and the staff and board of the DCM, was named in August of 1993 and began its work with a meeting on November 18-21, 1993. Members of the task force were Bishop Richard F. Bansemer, the Rev. Karen G. Bockelman (chair), Ms. Judith Ann Cobb, Ms. Marilyn Comer, the Rev. Joseph Donella, the Rev. Julie A. Ebbesen, Ms. Mavis Hamre, Prof. Sarah Henrich, the Rev. Richard Hermstad, the Rev. Craig Johnson, the Rev. Ivis LaRiviera-Mestre, Prof. Gordon W. Lathrop, Bishop Charles H. Maahs, Ms. Marilyn Miller, the Rev. Paul H. Rohde, and Prof. Ralph Smith. The Task Force named an Editorial Committee, which was charged with drafting a statement.

The DCM defined the goal of the task force as "a theologically responsible guide to contemporary practice." The process included the review of preliminary materials by approximately 100 reviewers, including seminary professors of systematic and liturgical theology, ten percent of the synod worship leaders network, and a broad range of specific ministries, including multicultural settings, ecumenical settings, and others.

A first draft was mailed to all rostered leaders of the ELCA in April 1995, which initiated a year-long process of commentary, including a forum at the 1995 Churchwide Assembly. The Task Force and Editorial Committee revised the first draft during the summer and fall of 1996. The resultant draft was reviewed and approved by the Conference of Bishops, the Church Council, and the DCM board. The statement was discussed, amended, and approved by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly for "guidance and practice" in the ELCA.