How can the Episcopal Church and the Evangelican Lutheran Church in America have full communion?

Question

The Episcopal Church and the ELCA are in full communion, but the ELCA does not have apostolic succession, while the Episcopal Church believes apostolic succession is necessary for valid sacraments. How can they be in full communion???

Answer 1

From what I understand, the ELCA has full communion with the Episcopal Church, Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Which allows for alter and pulpit exchanges between the 4 churches.

They have worked on ecumenical dialogs with:
African Methodist Episcopal church
Disciples of Christ
Mennonite
Eastern Orthodox
Roman Catholic- Joint statement of faith on Justification.
United Methodist

The ELCA does have bishops, by virtue of the Church of Sweden and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (Suomen evankelis-luterilainen kirkko). I would suggest researching Gustavus Vasa. When he took control of Sweden from the Danes, he kept some Roman Catholic Bishops in power in the Church of Sweden, so Sweden and Finland (by virtue of being part of the Kingdom of Sweden) claim apostolic succession through their bishops.

Answer 2

if you're ELCA Lutheran, and once you're comfortable with the options the ELCA has made lately with reference to homosexuality, then i'd say that out of your viewpoint, the Episcopal Church will be a suitable determination. regardless of the indisputable fact that, the Episcopal Church isn't in communion with any Lutheran body in u . s . of america except the ELCA. if you're LCMS, WELS, or any of the smaller Lutheran denominations, stay a procedures far flung from the Episcopal Church. on the different hand, when you consider that your perspectives at the instantaneous are not strictly orthodox Lutheran, if you're of the more desirable conservative style of Lutheranism you're satisfied in an Anglican parish which couldn't portion of the Episcopal Church: truly any parish of the Anglican Church in North u . s . of america. yet actually, i imagine you would probable be maximum at domicile in a Reformed church, as TULIP contains doctrines that are immediately opposite to each and every thing Lutherans stand for, and would not really in good structure Anglicanism all that nicely both.

Answer 3

The Episcopal church has open communion for ALL believers in Christ; I have also seen non-believers invited to take communion (such as visiting Buddhists, etc.); the idea being that this is CHRIST'S meal....not just our Episcopalian communion. Christ would welcome all to his table, so do most Episcopalians that I know of. (there are more Conservative groups, but the mainstream are EUSA).
ECLA is also a welcoming, inclusive group of Christians. Far less conservative than their Mo. Synod brothers who require signing a card for communion at Mo Synod Churches, and even refuse communion to other Lutheran groups.

The Episcopal church is based on three things: Scripture, tradition and REASON. For the most part, it is an inclusive and welcoming group; if you note funerals from the National Cathedral (An Episcopal Church) include often many groups from different religions, both Christian and Non-Christian.

Answer 4

Communion is a symbolic ceremony to represent the acceptance of Jesus Christ dying for our sins. All Christians in all denominations do this in rememberance of the Lord.