wfn.org | ELCA Outreach Board Discusses Evangelism in 'A New Century'

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 7, 2001

ELCA OUTREACH BOARD DISCUSSES EVANGELISM IN 'A NEW CENTURY'
01-043-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) Division for Outreach (DO) received a report on
evangelism and decided to voice its concerns about the report before
taking action.  The board met here Feb. 23-25.
     "The most significant highlight of the meeting was the wrestling
the board did with the evangelism strategy," said Dorothy Baumgartner,
DO board chair.  Baumgartner is chief administrative officer of Trinity
Lutheran College, Issaquah, Wash.
     Staff from several ELCA divisions prepared "Toward A Vision in
Evangelism in the ELCA," a report to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to be
held in August in Indianapolis.  The report outlines the church's
activities since 1991, when the churchwide assembly adopted a 10-year
evangelism strategy called "A Telling Witness of God's Good News."
     The DO board discussion focused on part two of the report, which
included recommendations for "Sharing Faith in a New Century" -- ways to
use what has been learned in the past decade to enhance the ELCA's
evangelism efforts in the next decade.
     "The underlying concern is ... whether we're talking about another
program on evangelism or something that will help people in the
congregation, in the pew, understand what evangelism is and be inspired
to do evangelism," Baumgartner said.
     "The board's concern is that the church not be about another
strategy, program or methodology, but something that will affect real
change," she said.
     "Another concern with the document was that its language sounded
very programmatic."  Baumgartner added that the board was looking for
more "invitational" language.
     The report recommends that the 2001 assembly ask the ELCA
presiding bishop to appoint a task group that will receive new or
existing evangelism plans from "all ministries of this church" and
prepare a report for the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.
     James E. Byerly, board member, Richmond, Va., suggested asking
voting members at the churchwide assembly to discuss what "evangelism"
means to them.
     Joseph E. McMahon, board member, Washington, D.C., said, beyond
defining "evangelism," ask Lutherans to explore their roles as
"evangelical people."
     The board deferred any action on the evangelism report until the
committee drafting it had a chance to hear and address the board's
concerns.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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