wfn.org | ELCA Council Recommends Evangelism Strategy, Receives Reports

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 11, 2001

ELCA COUNCIL RECOMMENDS EVANGELISM STRATEGY, RECEIVES REPORTS
01-85-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) recommended "Toward a Vision for
Evangelism," the church's strategy on evangelism, for adoption by the
2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this summer.  The council also received
reports on "Initiatives for a New Century" and "Ministry Among People
in Poverty."
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves
as the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide
assemblies.  The council met here April 6-7.  Assemblies are held
every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14 in Indianapolis.
     A component of the evangelism strategy is designed to encourage
the 10,851 congregations of the ELCA to examine their own ministry of
hospitality, review the opportunities for sharing "God's good news"
with people in their unique setting, and develop ways to meet,
engage, witness to and invite people to faith in Jesus Christ.
     The strategy contains two parts.  Part one, "A Telling Witness
of God's Good News," features a report on the progress of the
evangelism strategy adopted by the 1991 ELCA Churchwide Assembly from
1991 to 2001.  Part two of the strategy, "Sharing Faith in a New
Century," provides a definition of evangelism, the global and local
contexts for evangelism and the text of a resolution scheduled to be
considered by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
     "The [resolution to] the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is
designed to invite the entire church to articulate the vision of
evangelism," said the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director,
ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
     "Two elements became apparent [in our research] of
congregations that say they have been effective in increasing
[church] membership," said Bullock.
     "The elements are a congregation's clear sense of mission and
purpose, and its ability to welcome innovation and change.  If these
two were in place, there was a sustained change in membership
growth," Bullock told the council.
     "I don't feel that we as a church have a clear, comprehensive
strategy on evangelism," said the Rev. Larry V. Smoose, council
member, Media, Pa.
     Smoose said the language contained in the strategy is not
specific.  "My preference would have been to develop a comprehensive
strategy on evangelism.  Part two of the strategy does not imply an
expectation for the development of a comprehensive strategy."
     "I am overwhelmed and impressed by the quality of [Toward a
Vision for Evangelism], particularly "Living Faith: A Call to
Discipleship," said Donald G. Hayes, council member, Salem, N.C.
     The 2001 Churchwide Assembly is scheduled to "recommit" to
"Living Faith: A Call to Discipleship," located in the resolution of
"Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     "A Call to Discipleship" was adopted by the 1999 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly. The council resolved to "recommit" itself to the
program, which encourages congregations of the church to focus on
seven key faith practices for discipleship: prayer, study, worship,
invitation, encouragement, service and giving.
     Members of the ELCA's "Teach the Faith" team invited members of
the church to focus on their faith practices.  "Teach the Faith" is
one of seven ELCA "Initiatives to Prepare for a New Century"
identified by the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  The church's work
on the Initiatives will come to a close at the 2001 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly.
     In other actions, the council -- through its Program and
Services Committee -- received and transmitted reports as information
to the 2001 Churchwide Assembly.  They include:
     + "Initiatives for a New Century: A Call to Commitment."
Adopted by the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, it identifies seven
areas that warranted the church's attention between 1997 and 2001.
Leadership teams were created to carry out the work of the
Initiatives among congregations, the church's 65 synods, churchwide
offices and in other areas.
     Since the final report on the activities of the Initiatives is
in progress, the council authorized its Executive Committee to "act
on behalf of the council to receive and transmit" the report as
information to the churchwide assembly.
     "About 45 percent of congregations were engaged in the
Initiatives in one way or another," Dr. Kenneth W. Inskeep, director,
ELCA Department for Research and Evaluation, told the council.
     + "Ministry Among People in Poverty."  At its April 1999
meeting, the council established a $3 million designated fund for
ministries among people in poverty. The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA
presiding bishop, set up four work groups to administer the funds.
The groups are aimed at funding international and domestic projects,
canceling debts of some congregations and fostering relationships
among ELCA members and people living in poverty.

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