EC is free to maintain that sharing in the historic catholic episcopate is necessary when Anglicans enter full communion in order to link the local churches for mutual responsibility in the communion of the larger church. ELCA is free to maintain that sharing in this same episcopate is not necessary for the relationship of full communion. For ELCA, the characteristics of the goal as defined in its 1991 policy statement will be realized at this time. For EC, full communion, although begun at the same time, will not be fully realized until in the context of a common life and mission there is a shared ministry of bishops in historic succession. For both churches, full communion involves more than legislative decisions and shared ministries.
People have to receive and share the relationship.
Future bishops installed within the ministry of the historic episcopate will be understood by EC as having been ordained into this ministry. Unprecedented, this step is precisely to secure future implementation of the ordinals' same principle in the sharing of ordained ministries. Seeks to receive the gifts of the Lutheran tradition. Endorses Lutheran affirmation that the ultimate authority under which bishops preach and teach is the gospel itself. Agrees to establish structures for collegial and periodic review of the ministry exercised by bishops.