wfn.org | Lutheran Men and Women Work 'Shoulder to Shoulder'

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 28, 1999

LUTHERAN MEN AND WOMEN WORK 'SHOULDER TO SHOULDER'
99-115-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Church ministry is best exercised by men and
women working "shoulder to shoulder," according to Douglas Haugen,
director for Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's organization of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The board of LMM met
here April 16-19 and affirmed its relationship with Women of the ELCA,
the women's organization of the church.
     The LMM board received a resolution developed here Feb. 26-28 by
Women of the ELCA's Conference of Presidents that expresses the
continued mutual support of both organizations.  Women of the ELCA
resolved to continue their support of LMM through "prayer, publicity and
participation."
     The resolution was submitted to the board by Sharroll Bernahl,
Fort Morgan, Colo., president, Women of the ELCA.
     About a year ago the board for LMM discussed what makes the men's
organization unique from other men's ministries, said Haugen.  "The
strong point was that men in the ELCA tend to work collegially with
women.  We basically take instruction from the book of Ephesians [in the
Christian Bible] that says we will work with each other out of mutual
reverence for Jesus Christ," Haugen said.
     The goal of LMM is to build men's faith, relationships and
ministry through men's gatherings, resources produced by the
organization and leadership development.
     "Our commitment is to assist every congregation in establishing an
effective, life changing men's ministry so that every man would become a
stronger churchman and a stronger family man," he said.
     "Lutheran Men in Mission takes an honest look at what the world,
church and community is today, not what it has been," said the Rev.
Roland D. Martinson, a professor of pastoral care at Luther Seminary,
St. Paul, Minn.  The ELCA men's organization looks at "the God story" as
it is and uses that as a new way for building men's ministry, he said.
     Martinson spoke at the board meeting and highlighted some
challenges in men's ministry today.  "Vast numbers of men in the United
States are lonely and churches do not provide male-friendly ways or
means of forming relationships in communities.  Many men also see church
as 'good guys only' ... and 'holy' guys are welcome."
     Lutheran men between the ages of 30 and 49 are the least likely to
worship regularly, Martinson said. "Preaching and teaching sometimes
gives pat answers that do not agree with a male's experience.  Men need
realistic preaching with room for doubt."
     "Lutheran Men in Mission should advocate for young people," said
Tim Oelke, Wahpeton, N.D., a representative of the ELCA's Lutheran Youth
Organization.  "It means more to young people when the church raises
contemporary issues -- pre-marital sex, drugs, depression and stress
management -- than schools," he told the board.
     LMM is organized in 42 of the 65 synods of the ELCA.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html