wfn.org | ELCA Will Establish a Small Town and Rural Ministry 'Desk'

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 16, 1998

ELCA WILL ESTABLISH A SMALL TOWN AND RURAL MINISTRY 'DESK'
98-CC2-11-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) approved a plan Nov. 16 to establish a small town
and rural ministries "desk" in the ELCA's Division for Outreach.  The desk
will be managed by a full-time director beginning about March 1, 1999.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the
legislative authority of the church between meetings of the ELCA's
Churchwide Assembly.  The council met here Nov. 13-16.  Assemblies are held
every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.
     The council's recommendation was in response to a 1997 Churchwide
Assembly action that reaffirmed the church's commitment to ministry in
small town and rural settings.  That action also encouraged the ELCA's
Division for Outreach to consult with clergy, laity and churchwide staff
who minister in small towns and rural communities and to develop a plan for
"improving the coordination and effectiveness of those ministries."
     The ELCA's Office of the Bishop "will work out" the funding details
to finance the desk and staff person, said Sandra G. Gustavson, Athens,
Ga., chair of the council's budget and finance committee.  
     Churchwide units that will help finance the rural desk include the
ELCA's Division for Church in Society, Division for Congregational
Ministries and Division for Ministry.

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html