Nearly half a millennium after the Reformation, the American descendants of the Protestant leaders who forged the historic break in Christian ranks - then split with one another - have made up.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at its biennial Churchwide Assembly voted 839 to 193 to enter into full communion with three major Reformed churches.However, a similar proposal to share clergy with the Episcopal Church was narrowly defeated. Delegates voted 684 to 351 for full communion with the Episcopal Church, but a two-thirds majority was required for each measure to pass.
Afterward, delegates were subdued and somber in singing "The Church's One Foundation."
Under the Lutheran-Reformed pact, the 5.2 million-member ELCA will share the Communion table and clergy with the 2.7 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the 400,000-member Reformed Church in America and the 1.5 million-member United Church of Christ. All three Reformed churches approved the plan earlier this summer, although the Presbyterian church still requires further approval from its regional synods.
"We have been praying for unity for 40 years, and now God seems to have responded to our prayers," said the Rev. Howard Mettee of Greenville, Tenn., during debate Sunday at the biennial Churchwide Assembly.
During the 16th century period when the Reformation spread throughout Europe, Martin Luther and Reformed theologian John Calvin shared many concerns in common - from an emphasis on the authority of the Bible to the belief people are justified by faith alone.
However, Lutherans early on split with Reformed groups. The key issue then - and one that remains today - is over the understanding of the Eucharist. Similar to Catholics, Lutherans believe in the objective presence of Christ in the blood and wine of the sacrament, while Reformed churches have emphasized the presence of Christ in the community gathered by the Holy Spirit.
Some Lutherans said unity would come at too high a theological price.
"It seems to be a choice, either love or truth," the Rev. Hans Andrae of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod said during the debate Sunday. "I believe the celebration of the Lord's Supper should be one of love and truth."
Others, however, said since Reformed churches believe Christ is present in the community celebrating Communion, the theological differences should not continue to separate the churches.
"Our people realize those differences exist, but they don't believe they are - in official language - church dividing, or in unofficial language, a big deal," said Michael Rogness, a professor of homiletics at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
The Lutheran-Episcopal concordat was overwhelmingly approved by the 2.5 million-member Epsicopal Church at its General Convention last month. Had it passed, the churches would have not only recognized the validity of each other's ordained ministries, but participated in the installation of each other's bishops "as a sign of the unity and apostolic continuity of the whole church."
Lutherans are wary of Anglican belief in the principle of apostolic succession, that Christian ministry directed by bishops can be traced back to the original apostles. That gives too much authority to the hierarchy, critics say.
"Every fiber of my being shouts out, cries no, to the historic epsicopate," Connie McCallister of Pennsylvania said during Monday's debate.
"This is a matter of conscience for those of us who oppose this," said another critic, the Rev. Tony Stoutenburg. "This really does come down to an understanding of what constitutes the church."