The Leuenberg Agreement and Movement 1 1 : one important step forward towards the unity of protestant churches

V Lubinetzki

doi:10.4102/ids.v44i4.197

Abstract

The article deals with the Leuenberg Agreement of 1973 and the ecumenical development among its signatory churches during the following decades. After some historical and statistical remarks regarding the origin, growth, and further development of the Leuenberg Movement/Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), the theological method and work of the Movement (CPCE) is presented through a few examples from the so-called Leuenberg documents. Specific attention is given to the theological reasoning through which achievement of full fellowship of pulpit and altar between most of the protestant churches in Europe was achieved over the years. From a personal (and European) point of view, some of the major achievements and benefits of “Leuenberg” are highlighted, as are several drawbacks, shortcomings and chal- lenges over the last 35 years and through to the present times.

Highlights

In 1552, Archbishop Cranmer of England invited Calvin, Melanchthon, Bullinger, and others to draw up a consensus creed for the reformed churches, Calvin famously replied that he would eagerly “cross ten seas” for the sake of the unity of the church (Schaff, 1997:§ 159)
One of the most important and far-reaching developments in Europe was the inner-protestant movement that lead to the Leuenberg Agreement (LA) of 1973 and brought with it, first, the Leuenberg Movement, and in 2003, the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE)
LA (1973:§ 29) set itself the task to promote “co-operation in witness and service” among the member churches, without jeopardising their confessional status: In the sense intended in this Agreement, church fellowship means that, on the basis of the consensus they have reached in their understanding of the Gospel, churches with different confessional positions accord each other fellowship in word and sacrament and strive for the fullest possible co-operation in witness and service to the world

Summary

Introduction

In 1552, Archbishop Cranmer of England invited Calvin, Melanchthon, Bullinger, and others to draw up a consensus creed for the reformed churches, Calvin famously replied that he would eagerly “cross ten seas” for the sake of the unity of the church (Schaff, 1997:§ 159). Despite the fact that the twentieth century had its fair share of further denominational separations, it saw some important progress regarding church unity, at least among protestant churches which are rooted in the sixteenth-century European Reformation. Being a German theologian with European roots myself, I would like to highlight a few of the effects and reverberations Leuenberg, and the fellowship that grew out of it, had on my perception of church and church unity. Members of our protestant churches in Germany and even students of theology are generally pretty much surprised to find LA printed in our German hymnbooks at all, right beside the famous confessions from the early church, from the sixteenth century and the Barmen Theological Declaration. It has brought together protestant churches from all over Europe and from almost every corner of protestant tradition. 35 years after the original signing of LA, the protestant churches in Europe have found a common ground and are on their way towards a common goal

LA and CPCE: history and development

Work and theology of CPCE

Achievements over the last 35 years

Drawbacks and shortcomings