wfn.org | ELCA Council Supports Ethnic-Specific Strategies, Ministries

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 12, 2001

ELCA COUNCIL SUPPORTS ETHNIC-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES, MINISTRIES
01-087-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) recommended two ethnic-specific ministry
strategies for adoption by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this
summer.  The council also requested that the church support the ministry
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan/Palestine.
     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.
     Through the council's Program and Services Committee, the council
received with "appreciation" and supported the ELCA Asian and Pacific
Islander Ministry Strategy and the ELCA Latino Ministry Strategy.  It
recommitted the church to "partner" with Asian, Pacific Islander and
Latino congregations, and moved to intensify outreach among the wider
communities.
     The Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry plan articulates the
relationships with the ELCA envisioned by Asian and Pacific Islanders.
Specific areas of the strategy include congregation development,
leadership development, resource development, social ministry,
stewardship and mission work in Asia.
     "God has blessed us with an opportunity that we wouldn't have
thought possible some years ago," the Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan,
executive director, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries, told
the council.  "All Asian and Pacific Islander congregations have
participated in the development of the strategy," he said.
     There are about 23,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders in the ELCA,
Rajan said.
     The Latino ministry plan is designed to guide the Latino
ministries of the church.  Specific areas of the strategy include
insight on the identity of Lutheran Latinos, resource development,
mission congregations, leadership development and social ministry.
     "Latino membership in the ELCA is increasing faster than any other
group.  Every year membership increases," said Rajan.  Between 1990 and
1999 membership increased by 11,962 for a total of 35,245, he said.
     In another action, the council reaffirmed its commitment to
encourage members of the ELCA to support, through prayer and material
assistance, people in the Middle East affected by civil strife.
     At its March 2001 meeting, the ELCA Division for Global Mission
board requested that the council consider reaffirming its support for
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan/Palestine.
     The council asked the Division for Global Mission, the ELCA
Division for Church in Society and others to "strengthen efforts and
financial resources committed to education and advocacy programs" about
the Middle East; urged the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding
bishop, to communicate the church's "ongoing solidarity and concern" for
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and Palestine to President
George W. Bush, members of the U.S. Congress and other public officials;
and requested that pastors, lay leaders and the church's 65 synod
bishops encourage participation in the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil, which
began Dec. 3 and will "continue until the violence ends."

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