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.

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