wfn.org | ELCA Council Engages in Ministry among People Living in Poverty

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 16, 1999

ELCA COUNCIL ENGAGES IN MINISTRY AMONG PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY
99-287-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- At its spring meeting, the Church Council of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) established a designated
fund of $3 million for the church's ministry among people living in
poverty, and authorized the ELCA's presiding bishop to allocate funds
for global and domestic mission.  The council received an update Nov. 13
on the church's plans for the funds.
     The council met here Nov. 12-14.  It functions as the ELCA's board
of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church
between churchwide assemblies.  Assemblies are held every other year;
the next is Aug. 8-14, 2001, in Indianapolis.
     Four "work groups," appointed by the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA
presiding bishop, will distribute the designated $3 million.  The groups
are comprised of staff from the churchwide offices and synods of the
ELCA.
     An allocation of  $900,000 will help some congregations cancel
their debts; another $900,000 will support domestic hunger projects and
programs, advocacy, and rural and small town ministries; an additional
$900,000 will fund international causes with priority given to programs
supporting people most in need; and $300,000 is designated to facilitate
relationships between members of the ELCA and people living in poverty.
     The distribution of the Church Council's designated funds is based
on eight "assumptions" related to the church's involvement in ministries
among people living in poverty.  The assumptions were developed by a
churchwide committee established by Anderson earlier this year.  The
committee met with panelists who shared perspectives and experiences of
effective ministries among people living in poverty.
     The committee, along with seven of the 65 synod bishops of the
ELCA, "tested" the assumptions at the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in
Denver, Aug. 16-23.
     The assumptions are:

+ The church has internal work to do; in most cases, the members of the
ELCA do not know how to minister among people living in poverty; ... it
needs to begin with repentance and listen to people whom members have
not listened to before;

+ There are good ministries and new approaches to ministry happening;
... the church can learn from people who are effective in these
ministries;

+ Ministries among people living in poverty should be holistic wherever
possible;

+ The ELCA should give a testimony to its integrity in ministry among
people in poverty;

+ Any approach among people of poverty must regard them as people with
dreams and gifts for decision-making, leadership and abilities to deal
with their situation;

+ Wherever possible, ministries should be carried out ecumenically
and/or in alliance with other entities that enhance the impact and
effectiveness of the ministry;

+ People in poverty worldwide suffer from the same structure(s) of
economic injustice and the global market; the global-local dimension of
poverty is present in the United States, the Caribbean and
internationally; and

+ The international programs of long-term development have insights and
experience that can be adapted to the local U.S. context.

     The assumptions serve as "basic working criteria" for decisions to
be made by Ministries Among People in Poverty (MAPP) -- an ELCA work
group that will help oversee fund distribution.
     MAPP has the task of "identifying positive ways to affect the
attitudes and behaviors of ELCA members about ministry among people
living in poverty," said the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive
director, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
     The task has been identified as an integral part of the church's
self-understanding of Christian discipleship, said Bullock.  It is
identified as a "faith issue" more than a moral obligation or benevolent
act.
     "We want to help each other in this journey," Bullock said.

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