wfn.org | Rajan Nominated Director for ELCA Multicultural Ministries

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 14, 2000

RAJAN NOMINATED DIRECTOR FOR ELCA MULTICULTURAL MINISTRIES
00-061-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan was nominated to
serve another four-year term as executive director of the Commission for
Multicultural Ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).  The commission's 24-member steering committee met here March 3-4,
unanimously accepted Rajan's nomination and addressed a number of topics
to affirm the work of the commission.
     "Each ethnic community has its own ethos and history.  The
commission has been successful in bringing communities together to address
the needs and opportunities for ministry," Rajan said.
     "We have developed a very comprehensive anti-racism ministry for the
church, which consists of four components: training, leadership
development, resource production and network development," he said.
     "While the ELCA has spoken loud and clear about its commitment to
become multicultural through the adoption of policies, strategies, goals
and mandates, monitoring the implementation of these continues to remain a
challenge," said Rajan.
     Rajan said it has been a privilege to work two four-year terms as
the commission's executive director.  The ELCA Church Council will
consider Rajan's re-election at its meeting here April 7-10.
     The commission provides advice, counsel and services to assist the
church in working toward the goal of full partnership and participation of
African American, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Arab and
Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanics in the life of
the church and society.  The commission works in partnership with the
ELCA's 11,000 congregations, 65 synods and other churchwide organizations.
     The steering committee discussed several other matters.
     In a "special session" the Rev. Leslie F. Weber Jr., associate
executive director, ELCA Division for Church in Society, led a discussion
on welcoming gay and lesbian people in the life of the church.
     "Gay and lesbian people participate fully in the life of the church.
The ELCA does not support nor accept discrimination towards gay and
lesbian people.  However, the church has made it clear that it is not
ready to ordain gay and lesbian people committed to living in a same-sex
relationship," said Weber.
     The church will continue to be confronted with challenging issues,
Weber said.  "There are resources available to help members talk about
difficult issues.  The ELCA encourages strong deliberation and
discernment, and we need to do this in a matter that is pleasing to God.
The members of this church will get through the issue.  The Holy Spirit
will carry us through."
     Eva V. Gallardo, Miami, Fla., a member of the steering committee,
believes the church's discussion on homosexuality may ultimately divide
the church.  "We must pay attention to what the Bible can teach us about
gay and lesbian people."  She said Bible study will help with "our
discernment" and suppress division among us.
     Ira Frank, Auburn, Wash., a member of the steering committee, said
members of the church must continue conversation and support welcoming gay
and lesbian people in the life of the church.  "We still have not looked
at the fact that the church continues to exclude people.  The ELCA has not
lived up to its goal of having 10 percent of its membership be people of
color or whose primary language is not English," he said.
     According to Rajan, the church has been "very forthcoming in its
position on welcoming all people, irrespective of their sexual
orientation.  At the same time, the church has been very clear on
standards and policies related to ordination."
     Rajan believes the commission's steering committee "should not get
involved in the matter of same sex marriages and ordination of non-celibate 
homosexuals."
     "We need to avoid, as much as possible, issues which divide our

communities.  It is beyond the scope of the commission's mandate.  We must
use our time and energy to strengthen the multicultural ministry work of
this church.  The ELCA Church Council, Division for Outreach, Division for
Ministry and the Division for Church and Society have been given specific
responsibilities to address the matter of gay and lesbian people," Rajan
told the committee.
     In other business, the commission's steering committee:
+ approved a resolution to increase the budget by $35,000 for African
American, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Arab and Middle
Eastern, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanic ministries.  The budget
for the commission's racial justice ministry and multicultural
interpretation and education ministry will also receive a $35,000
increase;
+ asked staff of the commission to request authorization from the ELCA
Office of the Presiding Bishop to create an "inter-unit staff team" that
will work to integrate 21 recommendations generated from "The Blood That
Unites the Diaspora: A Consultation of Black People."  The consultation
took place June 4-7, 1998, in Tuskegee, Ala.;
+ received reports on the church's National Hispanic Ministry Strategy and
National Asian Ministry Strategy, both to be considered by the 2001 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly; and
+ reviewed a progress report on the development of the commission's Web
site.
     The commission steering committee's next meeting will be held here
Oct. 13-14, 2000.

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