wfn.org | Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Organizations Build Quality Programs

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 21, 2000

LUTHERAN OUTDOOR MINISTRY ORGANIZATIONS BUILD QUALITY PROGRAMS
00-284-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran outdoor ministry organizations across
the United States are working to improve the quality of their programs
with a $775,000 grant from Solutions 2000, a program of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
and Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), a fraternal benefits
organization based in Appleton, Wis.
     Solutions 2000 is designed to help "increase the ability of
outdoor ministry organizations to deliver high quality programs and
services," said Mark D. Burkhardt, co-chair of Solutions 2000 and ELCA
director for outdoor ministries.  There are 145 ELCA outdoor ministry
programs and sites across the United States and Caribbean.
     "Lutheran outdoor ministries across the country, working
independently, have developed many excellent processes and operational
strategies," Burkhardt said.  "The Solutions 2000 grant allows us to
leverage the strengths of individual organizations to benefit all grant
participants, as well as expose outdoor ministry leaders to new
management techniques."
     The purpose of Solutions 2000 is to teach outdoor ministry leaders
how to make better decisions by using a systems approach to management;
provide an integrated management software package to solve critical
outdoor ministry management needs; share and exchange best management
practices; and explore and establish mutually beneficial partnerships
between AAL and Lutheran outdoor ministry organizations.
     The mission of ELCA outdoor ministries is to "affirm and
experience our interrelationship with all of God's creation in an
intentional Christian community."  The church's outdoor ministries seeks
to encourage spiritual growth for the whole person by providing
encounter with Scripture; experience and care for the environment,
witness of staff, and opportunities for worship, recreation and the
development of relationships.
     Solutions 2000 offers:
+ A full-day "System Thinking" seminar.  Outdoor ministry leaders will
learn how to assess their organization using a "systems analysis tool"
and identify organizational areas that need improvement.
+ A computer software package called "Lutheran CampTrak."  The software
contains modules designed to help manage data related to summer camp
programs, retreats, group events and recording of gifts and pledges.

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