wfn.org | ELCA completes study on economic life

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

Toward sufficient sustainable livelihood for all

CHICAGO, Feb. 19, 1998 (elca/lwi) - Congregations, agencies and schools of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have completed a study
that precedes distribution of the first draft of a social statement on
economic life tentatively called, "Toward Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood
for All." The 15-member task force preparing the social statement for the
ELCA Division for Church in Society met here Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

The study was distributed to the ELCA's 11,000 congregations in November
1996. "The many responses have formed the development of the draft
statement," said the Rev. Karen L. Bloomquist, director for studies in the
ELCA Division for Church in Society.

The draft statement deals with the market economy on the brink of the 21st
century and the challenge to church and society to ensure a sufficient
sustainable livelihood for all. Among "convictions of the faith we
confess," one section of the draft examines values of community,
stewardship and work. It looks at "productive, distributive and
participatory" dimensions of "economic justice." The draft also analyzes
the meaning of "livelihood." It looks at jobs as means of livelihood and
respect for human dignity in the pursuit of livelihood.

"I hope people find enough in the statement that it challenges them to
rethink how they organize their lives economically," said Dr. Annette
Citzler who chairs the ELCA Task Force on Economic Life. The principles
outlined in the statement will apply to the church itself, Citzler said."
Certainly we want to call the church to account for its economic decisions,
including the salaries paid by the church and its agencies."

The task force included teachers of economics, theology, ethics, business
and sociology, parish pastors, community activists, a bishop and assistant
bishop, farmers and other entrepreneurs.
Rev. Bloomquist said the first draft of the social statement, after further
editing, is expected to go to the board of the Division for Church in
Society when it meets in Chicago March 12-14. The board will be asked to
authorize the draft for publication this spring and distribution to ELCA
congregations in early summer. Hearings on the statement will be held
during the second half of 1998.

The Division for Church in Society will receive responses to the first
draft through Dec. 1 to "inform the development of the proposed social
statement," said Bloomquist. The proposed social statement will come to the
ELCA's 1999 Churchwide Assembly for action.

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Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@wcc-coe.org
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