Paper: Lutherans and Pentecostals in dialogue

This handbook was produced by members of a six-year Lutheran-Pentecostal Study Group initiated by the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France. The handbook is designed to facilitate dialogue between Lutherans and Pentecostals. Drawing on the study
group’s experience, it presents insights gained and lessons learned and aims to provide a resource for further dialogue initiatives.
This handbook has three main sections. The first explores goals of Lutheran-Pentecostal dialogue. The second presents an analysis of the the topics that the study group covered, including a number of key insights gained in the process. The third section is more historical and seeks to introduce members of the two church families to each other— Lutherans to Pentecostals and Pentecostals to Lutherans. Much more could be said, of course. As rewarding as this initiative was, its members also recognized that they were merely scratching the surface. Our agenda was preparatory; if we had succeeded in answering every question, there would be no need for further dialogue—and further dialogue between Pentecostals and Lutherans is something all the Study Group members wish to encourage very strongly.

Main areas of dialogue include:
GOALS
To think and speak appropriately about the other, not bearing false witness against each other.
To be mutually enriched by each other’s tradition.
To provide opportunities for mutual correction.
To enable cooperation in ministry, mission, and social outreach.
To resolve and avoid conflicts between our churches.

INSIGHTS
Identifying the dialogue Partners
Method for dialogue
How do we encounter Christ?
    The pure Gospel of Christ
    The full Gospel of Christ
Differences in church culture
How do we encounter Christ in proclamation?
    Necessity of discernment
    Proclamation as the task of the whole community
    Hermenuetics of scriptural interpretation
How do we encounter Christ in sacraments and ordinances?
    Terminology and heritage
    Water Baptism
    Rebaptism
    Presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper
    Areas for further discussion about the Lord's Supper
How do we encounter Christ in charisms?
    Spirit Baptism
    Gifts of the Spirit
    Fruit of the Spirit
    Lutheran responses

HISTORY
Lutheranism to Pentecostals
Pentecostalism to Lutherans
Lutheran reaction to Pentecostalism in the USA

The paper is available here