wfn.org | Initiatives for a New Century -- Passes Overwhelmingly

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 18, 1997

INITIATIVES FOR NEW CENTURY -- PASSES OVERWHELMINGLY
97-CA-26-LJG

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Almost unanimously, more than 900 voting
members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America overwhelmingly
approved "Seven Initiatives for a New Century" during the Monday afternoon
plenary session of the fifth biennial Churchwide Assembly being held here
Aug. 14-20.
     With not a single word of  discussion, voting members said yes to
"Seven Initiatives for a New Century" introduced by the Rev. H. George
Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA at this assembly.  The vote was
913-5 (99.5 percent - 0.5 percent).
     Anderson introduced the initiatives to the assembly at its first
plenary session last Thursday.  His presentation received a standing
ovation then, and was uplifted item by item in the Saturday afternoon
presentation from the Youth Convocation to the assembly.
     "When society is in a molten state, when everything is being
'reinvented,' the church has a matchless opportunity to be engaged in
shaping whatever new society will emerge.  Communities that have a clear
purpose and definite goals that will become the crystallization points for
the world of the future," said Anderson in his report Thursday.  Anderson's
address received a 3-minute standing ovation after he addressed the
gathering of more than 1,000 voting members and visitors at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center.
     Anderson proposed seven key initiatives from the 5.2 million members
of the ELCA, built upon five foundational strengths that he believes the
ELCA can bring to a world in turmoil and transition.  "This not a cookie
cutter, seven-point program for everyone, but a way to focus creative
energy and a system to share the ideas that are working."
     The  "Initiatives for a New Century" would be catalysts for Lutherans
to deepen  worship life, teach the faith, witness to God's action in the
world, strengthen one another in mission, help the children, connect with
youth and young adults, and develop leaders for the next century.
     Anderson characterizes the ELCA as a global church; a church of grace
and gratitude; a serving church; a realistic church; and as a teaching
church.  The seven specific initiatives are offered for Assembly approval
to "get us out into mission," Anderson said.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html