Resolution: Credal

Memorial regarding our creedal status
submitted by Philip Van Dam / Peter Suwak

WHEREAS, the ELCA has engaged in many ecumenical dialogues; and

WHEREAS, many of these dialogues seem to be directed towards “full communion” agreements; and

WHEREAS, some of our ecumenical partners are not as creedal as the ELCA, to wit the United Church of Christ has congregations that are federated with congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and some Methodist pastors say that they are not required to believe in the Trinity; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod in assembly memorialize the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to make the necessary constitutional changes so that future “full communion” agreements cannot be presented to the Churchwide Assembly unless the denomination with which we would be in full communion in said agreement already requires their pastors to accept the doctrine of the Trinity, or that said agreement requires the other denomination in the agreement of “full communion” to make such a requirement of their pastors. Such an amendment is also to apply to partial communion, or pulpit, altar fellowship, agreements.