The ecumenism of the past century has enabled a level of respectful, compassionate dialogue that is without precedent in the history of the church. Who would have thought five hundred years ago that Lutherans and Catholics could sit down to discuss justification without an army in sight? Or Lutherans and Mennonites could talk about public office without the former dragging out burlap bags in case a few strategic drownings of the latter were in order?

The funny thing is, this ecumenical habit has not been internalized. There is a nasty war—or at least series of battles—being fought out within both the ELCA and the LCMS. We despise each other because we expect the other to mirror our own ourselves back again: we’re all Lutherans here, aren’t we? So what’s the problem with you? We generally resort to calling the other’s Lutheranism into question altogether.

What we actually need is internal ecumenical dialogue. Let’s admit the rift before we have to formalize it. Let’s not make schism the actual condition of our ecumenical rapprochement! I can’t speak for Missouri, but the ELCA could stand to begin by having dialogues on the matter of sexuality; pretending that we have a task force purportedly representing us all doesn’t work. That is the most urgent item, but there are probably others: those more passionate about church politics than I could suggest them.

And then let us go to the next level: let us establish an ecumenical dialogue between the ELCA and the LCMS. Our laity talk together, work together, marry each other, love each other: why should we clergy and teachers not follow their lead and start talking too? We all know that anything resembling “union” is light years away, so there is no need for alarm on that score. But Jesus said his followers would be known by their love for each other. Let’s prove to each other that we are all followers of Jesus by outdoing each other in love instead of by the noisiness of our claims to be the true Lutherans.

I’m serious. Anyone interested? Let me know!