Is participation in the historic episcopate a violation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession or other Reformation principles?
Nothing more than the proper proclamation of the Gospel and the right celebration of the sacraments is necessary for the church to be the church (Augsburg Confession, Article 7). Lutherans have traditionally understood that matters of church governance are matters not essential to salvation (adiaphora), and therefore have exercised freedom to order themselves in whatever form best serves the Gospel in a given time and place. The Lutheran Reformers expressed a willingness to maintain, in an evangelical way, the office of oversight (bishops in succession).
