Altar and pulpit fellowship

Lutheran term for full communion between church bodies

Altar and pulpit fellowship describes an ecumenical collaboration between two Christian organizations, and is a Lutheran term for full communion,[1] or communio in sacris.[2] Altar refers to the altar in Christian churches, which holds the sacrament of Holy Communion. Pulpit refers to the pulpit, from which a pastor preaches. Altar and pulpit fellowship is therefore a specific understanding of "doctrinal agreement and confessional unity" that "allows the pastors of one church to preach and celebrate Holy Communion in the church of another".[3]

Most European churches that arose during the Reformation are in altar and pulpit communion (full communion) through the Concord of Leuenberg, forming the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe. The churches who signed the agreement are Lutheran, Reformed (including Presbyterian), Methodist, and United churches, and also the pre-reformation Waldensian, Czech Brethren, and Hussite church. All members also recognize the valid ordination of other churches within the Communion.[4][5]

Anglican churches have full communion with Scandinavian Lutheran churches through the Porvoo Communion, and with several other churches such as Old Catholic, Mar Thoma Syrian, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, and the Philippine Independent Church.[6][7]

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has altar and pulpit fellowship with 38 other churches: seven in Africa, eight in Asia, 12 in Europe, eight in Latin America, and three in North America. The LCMS also calls these organizations "partner churches".[8] The American Association of Lutheran Churches says their altar and pulpit fellowship with the Missouri Synod means the two church bodies are "separate but interdependent",[9] and that pastors of each organization may be called to permanent pastoral positions in the other.[10]

## See also

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* Closed communion
* Open communion

## References

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1. ^ "Called to Common Mission: A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement" (PDF). Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 1999.
2. ^ "Denominations - Frequently Asked Questions - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod". www.lcms.org. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
3. ^ The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship. Office of the President and Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. 2000.
4. ^ Adogame, Afe (2019-09-25), "From European to African Reformation", Reformation in the Context of World Christianity, Harrassowitz, O, pp. 53–66, doi:10.2307/j.ctvrnfq8p.8, ISBN 978-3-447-19914-8, S2CID 211329180, retrieved 2021-07-14
5. ^ "Leuenberg Concord". Religion Past and Present. doi:10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_sim_12936. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
6. ^ "Finland: Helsinki and Provoo". Archaeological Journal. 162 (sup1): 29–31\. January 2005. doi:10.1080/00665983.2005.11770983. ISSN 0066-5983. S2CID 220274183.
7. ^ "The Bonn Agreement of 1931". 2018-08-22. Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
8. ^ "LCMS Partner Church Bodies - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod". www.lcms.org. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
9. ^ "Inter-Church Relations". American Association of Lutheran Churches. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
10. ^ "Operating Agreement II: Issues Resulting from the Movement of Congregations/Pastors between Rosters" (PDF). American Association of Lutheran Churches; Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. November 9, 2009.