Ever since reading the editorial on Lutherans, I have been disturbed by what I believe is a slighting of the facts.

While it may offer "great promises," I, after considerable thought and prayer, think that the only challenge to the Episcopal Church will be ceasing to be the historical Episcopal Church, a part of the Anglican Communion. You do a disservice to your readers in the identification of the Lutheran Church of today (namely ELCA) with that of the 18th century which you named in the editorial.

Take, for instance, the Swedish Lutherans, found particularly in the Philadelphia area. While they were indeed Lutheran, they were Swedish Lutherans, who, to this day, had (and still have) a valid apostolic succession. In other words, their bishops are indeed apostolic bishops. This is not so with ELCA. The editorial failed to make that "minor" distinction.

And yes, it is true that many of these "Old Swede" churches, after the Revolution, eventually became part of the Episcopal Church. Once we had our own succession, there was little reason for them to remain separate.

Let's be honest, we are talking here not of the Swedes at this present juncture, but rather the numerous Lutherans who come from a German background. They have never had (to the best of my knowledge) the apostolic office of bishop nor the concept of a three-fold minstry of bishops, priests and deacons.

You see, it's not the same now. And the editorial did not make that clear. It's a different group altogether. I frankly do not understand why so many are so interested in going this route. It makes no sense. Please reconsider your remarks and clarify your arguments. Readers of TLC would expect nothing less.

Tad Parks

Milwaukee, Wis.