wfn.org | ELCA Congregations Will 'Teach the Faith'

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 16, 1998

ELCA CONGREGATIONS WILL 'TEACH THE FAITH'
98-CC2-12-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America is extending an invitation to the church's 11,000
congregations to "renew their commitment to be faith-forming communities." 
The invitation is part of a major emphasis "to embark on a period of focus
on discipleship and faith development" under the ELCA's "Initiatives to
Prepare for a New Century." 
     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. 
      "In his book, 'Thinking the Faith,' Douglas John Hall says a
disciple is by definition one who has not yet arrived," the Rev. M. Wyvetta
Bullock, executive director of the ELCA's Division for Congregational
Ministries, told the Church Council.  
     "Discipleship ... is the decision, taken not once but constantly
renewed, to explore in depth the meaning of the message in which (Jesus)
Christ is central," she said.  Bullock said this definition of "disciple"
will be a working definition for the church's invitation "to discipleship."
     The council is also encouraging members of the ELCA's Conference of
Bishops and staff of the ELCA's 65 synods and churchwide office "to plan
strategic and intentional ways of supporting, involving and encouraging
this call to discipleship throughout the ELCA in planning and preparation
for the years 2000, 2001 and beyond."
     In 1997 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly selected seven significant
activities of ministry for the 21st century -- deepen worship life, teach
the faith, witness God's action in the world, strengthen one another in
mission, provide a safe place for children, connect with youth and young
adults, and provide leadership development.  
     Leadership teams were formed earlier this year to provide overall
guidance for the work of congregations, synods and churchwide organizations
as they focus on these activities.
     

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