wfn.org | ELCA Starts Forming Vision, Strategy for Children's Ministry

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 19, 2003

ELCA STARTS FORMING VISION, STRATEGY FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
03-056-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a room decorated with kites and pictures of
children from around the world, 80 people -- children, pastors and staff
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide office -
- gathered at the Lutheran Center here March 4 for the first ELCA
Children's Ministry In-House Consultation.  A goal of the consultation
was to start composing a vision and strategy for ministry among children
and families.
     "The whole reason why we are here is for children" and to learn
"how to bring children into the life of the ELCA," said the Rev. Steven
R. Meysing, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheaton, Ill.
     "There are observable indications that many churchwide departments
and divisions devote specific attention to children in their vision and
strategies for ministry and resource development, but its potential has
yet to be actualized within the context of an overall strategy or
promotion for children's ministry," said Miriam C. Campbell, associate
director for children and family ministries, ELCA Division for
Congregational Ministries.
     "Of the many churchwide units devoted to serving children, youth
and adults in the ELCA, we have yet to establish an information base
that would define or characterize a full-service priority or intent to
nurture children as they grow," said Campbell, an ELCA associate in
ministry.
     "In keeping with our baptismal intent to nurture and engage
children as they grow, it is critical that we attend to them in an
intentional, proactive and full-service way, if for no other reason than
because it is the privilege and responsibility of every area of
congregational ministry to welcome, nurture and engage children right
from the start," she said.
     In addition to starting a process for the development of a vision
and strategy for children ministries, other objectives of the
consultation included engaging children and adults in conversation,
uncovering the strengths of children and determining needs for ministry,
specifying research that might be helpful in creating a stronger
commitment to nurture and empower children, and organizing structures
for children advocacy, faith formation and leadership development.
     Through a video presentation, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA
presiding bishop, welcomed participants.  He said "25 percent of the 5.1
million-member ELCA is children."  Hanson was joined by Cynthia Berry-
Bailey, 10, Mayra Dumke, 11, and Anna Duran, 11.  In the video, the
children described the importance of church in their lives.
     Other highlights of the consultation included a dramatic
presentation called "Once Upon a Pew," which told a story about one
child inviting another to church.  Adults and children also engaged in
group activities designed to share some first memories and impressions
of the church, and met separately.  In small groups, adults explored how
children ministries can fit into the work of the churchwide office, and
children engaged in crafts and conversation.
     The next step includes documenting the insights that were shared
at the consultation, Campbell said.  She added that an ELCA churchwide
inter-unit staff team for children's ministries will formally organize
to help gather resources for the Lutheran Center's library.

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