Why is “full communion” with The Episcopal Church important?
Why was a relationship of full communion established between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church? The basic answer is in order to increase the opportunities for mission and witness in our increasingly secular society. By allowing for the exchange of clergy between our two churches, one pastor or priest may serve congregations of both church bodies. In many rural areas and in many inner city situations, along with campus ministry sites and a variety of other situations, this new relationship is proving invaluable in increasing our opportunities for service to the world. The full range of such opportunities would not be possible without the exchangeability of clergy.
