A new association comprised of Lutheran congregations which oppose full communion with the Episcopal Church was formed at the national convention of the WordAlone Network in Phoenix, Ariz., March 25-27. Some 1,000 delegates attended the convention of the organization formed when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted to establish the agreement with the Episcopal Church.

Delegates voted overwhelmingly to adopt a constitution that establishes a new association, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

"We want the ELCA to modify the full communion agreement, so that all Lutherans will be free to practice what we believe," said the Rev. Mark Chavez, executive director of WordAlone. "However, if they do not, this convention's historic and overwhelming vote ends the concern many Lutherans have had over where to go if the ELCA pushes them out for living out their traditional Lutheran faith."

The Rev. Sam Pascoe, rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Orange Park, Fla., was among the speakers at the convention. "What is happening among our two [churches] is not only anti-Lutheran, it is anti-Anglican, [and] sub-Christian...But it's easier to give birth [to a new association] than to raise the dead," Fr. Pascoe said.

Pastor Chavez said it is not the goal of LCMC to have congregations make a complete break from the ELCA, but "some of the delegates at this convention have stated that they are ready to do so if changes aren't made."

WordAlone Network, which claims more than 80,000 members, advocates Lutherans' return to their biblical roots, and objects to some of the practices of the Episcopal Church, particularly the historic episcopate.