Ministry Across Denominations
One of the strengths of the ELCA is the way that we attend to our ecumenical relationships. On a national level, we have been intentional about being in dialogue with Christians from a variety of denominations, which has led to ecumenical agreements framing natural places for collaboration in ministry. We have agreements with several full-communion partners, including the Presbyterian Church USA (1997), the Reformed Church in America (1997), the United Church of Christ (1997), the Episcopal Church (1999), the Moravian Church (1999), and the United Methodist Church (2009).
Here in southwestern Pennsylvania, we have been slowly living into these agreements, finding ways of celebrating our unity in Christ on both local and synodical levels. This is expressed through shared ministry projects, ecumenical worship services, and an orderly exchange of ministers.
The last of these—the orderly exchange of ministers—leads to the unique blessing of a clergy person from one denomination serving in congregations of another denomination. We have a collection of pastors and congregations currently living into our ecumenical partnerships in exactly these ways.
There are Lutheran congregations led by Episcopal priests. There is a Presbyterian pastor who simultaneously serves both a Lutheran congregation and a nearby Presbyterian congregation. There are Lutheran pastors who serve in Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist contexts. These cross-denominational collaborations reveal the presence and work of the Holy Spirit among us, blessing through word, sacrament, and mutual consolation in ways that give witness to Christ’s transformation in the world.
Leaders from our synod and the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church are currently working out details of how we can more intentionally collaborate in ways that bless our congregations with talented and faithful leadership from well-trained clergy – and that bless our pastors and deacons with expanded opportunities to serve Christ’s church.
As a part of these explorations, our synod’s ecumenical affairs committee would like to know: has your congregation developed a ministry relationship with a neighboring Methodist congregation? Or are you a pastor or deacon who has developed relationships with nearby Methodist colleagues? If so, please fill out a brief survey.
Read some of our synod pastors’ reflections below about their powerful experiences serving in ecumenical ministry.
THE REV. CHERYL KHYLLEP—PC(USA)
Former Pastor of St. John Mark Lutheran
Church, Homestead
Serving a Lutheran church has taught me the richness that can be found in theological difference. Not only are you given a window into another faithful way of following Jesus Christ, but you are challenged to think through your church and your own beliefs in a way that can be outwardly practiced and articulated to your church community.
THE REV. TORREY JOHNSOB—ELCA
Priest-in-Charge, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Homewood
As a Lutheran pastor called as the priest-in-charge at an Episcopal church, I have been blessed to be able to truly live out my call as a true servant. I have been able to diversify the ministry opportunities to serve the community in which the Church of the Holy Cross resides. Through collaborative events with our Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, AME, and Jewish brothers and sisters, we have been afforded financial support from these various ecumenical partners to bring after-school and summer enrichment programs for Homewood youth. We have sponsored Hannukah/Christmas toy giveaways, a gun-buy-back event, family oriented movies on the lawn, and we have offered our church as a site for social and criminal justice events with all of our ecumenical partners.
THE REV. SARA IRWIN—TEC
Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Carnegie
When I approach the task of preaching—and theological reflection in general—I often think about Emily Dickinson’s instruction: “tell all the truth but tell it slant” so that truth can “dazzle gradually.” I think my congregation has benefited from the ecumenical nature of our partnership in the way my own spiritual background has enabled me to appreciate and articulate the beauty of Lutheran theology “at a slant.”
THE REV. ERIN JONES—ELCA
Pastor, Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community, South Side
I so appreciate the challenge and gift of not assuming anything! If I’m preaching or teaching, I know that those listening come from vastly different backgrounds, and so I can’t just fall back into “Lutheran-ese.” I have to mine other traditions and vocabulary to get an idea across. I also love having colleague relationships across denominations!
THE REV. ALINA KANASKI—PC(USA)
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bower Hill
In the Lutheran context specifically, I love the liturgy. I love the sense of history, and the communion of the saints that comes with using words that have been used for years and years. I deeply appreciate the way that it can minister to me even when I am leading worship.
Pastor Jennifer Peters McCurry
Ecumenical Affairs Chair & Associate Pastor at First English Lutheran Church, Downtown
jpm@flcpittsburgh.org | 412-471-8125