c. 1997 Religion News Service

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. _ A few weeks ago, Lee Cropp reluctantly agreed to attend a meeting at Northminster Presbyterian Church to hear a proposal to invigorate the dwindling north Huntsville congregation to which he belongs.”When I went to that first meeting … I had the attitude that it would be another very ho-hum, boring meeting,”said Cropp, chairman of his church’s long-range planning committee.”When I left there, I had more enthusiasm and fire about the church than I had felt in 25 years.” What Cropp heard at the meeting was a proposal for his local Presbyterian church to join hands with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in cooperative ministries.

Together, these two congregations are living out a version of the vision church leaders at the national level have for the church-unity movement.

The venture will initially center on Christian education, music, youth and adult programs. It eventually will lead to the purchase of common property _ if they receive the blessing of their denominations’ governing bodies.

But it’s unlikely church leaders will frown on the Lutheran-Presbyterian venture now that both the governing bodies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (USA) _ along with the United Church in Christ and the Reformed Church in America _ voted this summer to approve a Formula of Agreement, which declares the four churches agree on the key theological issues of how people are saved, and on the nature of the sacraments, the ministry and the church.

The Formula laid the groundwork for joint worship services, and members are free to attend each other’s churches and receive Holy Communion there. Clergy, too, are mutually recognized and assignments can be made across denominational lines.

Equally important, the Formula also calls for common commitment to evangelism, witness and service, and creates a means of joint decision-making on critical issues of faith and church life _ precisely the actions the two Huntsville churches have in mind.”It is essential that we have unity in Christ,”said the Rev. Michael Lemke, pastor of the Lutheran congregation.”The Scriptures teach that the body of Christ is one. I compare us to flavors of ice cream. We’re all varieties, but we’re still ice cream.”The basis for our cooperation is that we think we can be more effective in going out and making disciples for Christ,”he said.”The vote just makes it easier for us to do this.” The idea for joining the hands of the two congregations began earlier this summer, when Lemke called Dave Johnson, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Both pastors expressed concern over their dwindling numbers _ Prince of Peace has about 50 members, Northminster about 30.”It’s almost scary that we have been able to reach a consensus about this just 60 days from the first lunch meeting Pastor Lemke and I had,”Johnson said.”We’re not doing this for survival, but by coming together we hope to create the opportunity to grow.” Both congregations plan to keep their identities and denominational beliefs. But they will cooperate on many activities, and even share ministers occasionally.”We will have many yoked ministries, but it is important for people to know we will maintain two separate denominations,”said Bobbi Stender, president of the Prince of Peace congregational council.”We are very proud of our Lutheran heritage, and they are proud of theirs. This is truly a step of faith, steps that we are taking very seriously.” The first venture between the two will be Sunday school, beginning Sept. 14 at Northminster.

Both congregations have a small number of members who are apprehensive about the move, the pastors said, but for the most part, folks are optimistic.

The unity of the churches, said Lemke,”is stronger than our denominational differences. We feel the Holy Spirit has led us to this place.”

MJP END WHITE