A survey of the attitudes of the clergy in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod towards ecumenicity and church organization : an attempt to establish an association
Date
1974
Authors
Prescott, Cheryl Gayle (Zeh)
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Abstract
Sociological theory has occasionally related ecumenicity to bureaucratic organization and clerical sponsorship. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is organizationally unique in so far as it has been a continuous and discrete entity since its formation in 1847. Within the past fifty years it has experienced a significant growth in membership, bureaucratic organization, clerical administration, and a concomitant interest and participation in ecumenical relations, particularly with other Lutheran groups. In 1969 it declared pulpit and altar fellowship with the American Lutheran Church. This overture towards ecumenicity is thought to provide an excellent opportunity for a better understanding of the relationship between bureaucracy, leadership and ecumenicity.
Survey research was used to gather the data, which is analyzed in terms of the respondents' background and attitudes towards ecumenicity, and in terms of a cross-tabulation between selected items judged to elicit differentiated attitudes on either ecumenicity or the church (organization and leadership). Results suggest that a less authoritarian perception of the role of the church, of the leadership, a great acceptance of bureaucracy, and a perceived agreement with the perspectives of Synodical officials is associated with a more positive ecumenical attitude.