They discussed the most significant points of contact between the two church bodies and areas of further strategic development and cooperation.

 

In a lively discussion, they reached agreements on various aspects of jointly declaring traditional Christian values which unite the ELC of Russia and the ELC of Ingria, especially with regard to family and marriage. They worked out preliminary mechanisms of interaction for settling complicated issues.

 

Also, the ecclesiastics made a decision to exchange cultural experience between the two churches. Thus, representatives of the ELC of Russia will be able to study the cultural initiatives of St. Anne’s ELCIR Congregation in St. Petersburg and discuss the concept of a Museum of Protestantism at their General Synod in September.

 

Of equal importance was the discussion of the joint use of seminary and institute libraries and building a consolidated electronic resource.

 

A significant achievement was initiating the development of a mechanism, as simple and as transparent as possible, for the interaction of the two church bodies on all levels, including the pastoral ministry and parishioners or ministers transferring membership from one church body to the other.

 

The next meeting will take place on September 19, 2023.

 

Source: webpage of Archbishop Vladimir Provorov of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia.