ELCA approves closer ties with United Methodists

The Churchwide Assembly just voted overwhelmingly to approve a recommendation to enter into “interim eucharistic sharing” with the UMC, which is short of the “full communion” we enjoy with other churches (go here for more info).

The difference is explained thusly elsewhere:

With an interim commitment, congregations and judicatories of both churches will be encouraged to study theological documents, participate jointly in Holy Communion and explore new opportunities for shared ministry. Eventually, the two churches may achieve a relationship of full communion, which would allow for clergy of one church body to serve in congregations of the other church and would create opportunities for joint ministry.

Doing my part to further understanding between Lutherans and Methodists, I recently picked up a copy of John Wesley’s A Plain Man’s Guide to Holiness (a.k.a. A Plain Account of Christian Perfection).