wfn.org | Lutherans Plan to Make Christ Known in the New Millennium

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 12, 2001

LUTHERANS PLAN TO MAKE CHRIST KNOWN IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
01-190-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   When asked what will it take for mainline
Protestant churches, particularly the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), to bring people to church in the new millennium, the
Rev. Marta Poling Goldenne said "it will take a willingness to speak the
language of the people, which means being aware of ethnic diversity,
religious pluralism and young adults, youth and children."
     Poling-Goldenne is director for witness, evangelism and Christian
education, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.  The church's
education and evangelism team will sponsor the 2001 Great Commission
Conference, "Go, Make Disciples: Release the Power!" Nov. 9-11 at the
Denver Marriott Tech Center.
     The 2001 Great Commission Conference is designed to provide ideas
on how pastors, lay leaders, church staff and others can invite people
into the Christian faith.  Representatives of ELCA congregations from
across the country will share what has worked for them in reaching
people "with the gospel today" and, through keynote presentations,
participants will learn how "to ignite their spirit" for church growth.
     Presentations will be delivered by Duncan Campbell, founder and
executive director, Friends of the Children, Seattle; the Rev. Mary Ann
Moller-Gunderson, Immanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA), Lake Geneva, Wis.;
and Steve Sjogren, author of "Conspiracy of Kindness: A Refreshing New
Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus with Others," and director of
Servant Evangelism.com, Cincinnati.
     Bible studies will be lead by the Rev. Ernie Hinojosa, Camino Real
Christian Fellowship (ELCA), San Antonio, Texas, and the Rev. Kathryn
Bradley Love, Martin Luther Lutheran Church (ELCA), Mobile, Ala.
     The Rev. Richard Webb, Lutheran Church of Hope (ELCA), West Des
Moines, Iowa, will lead worship.  The Rev. Dennis Mims, St. James
Lutheran Church (ELCA), East Cleveland, Ohio, and the Rev. Barbara
Holzhauser, associate director for evangelism, rural and small town
ministry, Division for Congregational Ministries, will preach during
worship.
     "Evangelism works for congregations that learn how to tell the
good news of Jesus Christ, bear witness and proclaim Christ in
meaningful, relevant and life-changing ways within their local
communities," Poling-Goldenne said.
     "It is really critical for congregations to listen and respond to
people in their surrounding neighborhoods, which means tuning in to the
life issues of local neighbors.  Congregations need to ask questions
like, 'How can we reach and serve our neighbors in ways that makes sense
to them while pointing them to Christ?'" she said.
     More than 40 workshops will be offered at the conference with
topics ranging from "evangelizing" through the Internet to exploring
Christian education issues among people with disabilities, from
providing practical tips on evangelism among small town congregations to
evangelism in multi-ethnic contexts.
     "The world has come to our doorstep, and now we must be willing to
do mission outside the doors of our churches with the same passion we
have been doing with mission overseas," she said.  "It is so vital to
form relational connections with local neighbors, because when
congregations take the time and effort to form bonds of friendship with
new immigrants in their community, for instance, that is what gives us
authenticity to be able to talk about Christ."
     Poling-Goldenne believes Lutherans "need to get clear in their
understanding and articulation of the Christian faith.  We need to find
ways to do that which honors religious diversity while, at the same
time, pointing the way to Jesus Christ," she said.
     "We know that many people come to [the Christian] faith as
children and youth, so one of the opportunities for mainline Protestant
churches is to get focused on reaching today's children and youth.  It
is important to share the gospel in ways which are technically and
musically relevant in today's youth culture," Poling-Goldenne said.
     Pre-conference "enrichment tracks" will be held Nov. 9.  The
tracks feature three ELCA congregations noted for their successful
evangelism efforts.  Members of St. James Lutheran Church, East
Cleveland, Ohio, will demonstrate how congregations can reach their
urban neighbors through strong Christian education and discipleship
ministries; members of St. John Lutheran Church, Nashua, Iowa, will talk
about their community-wide seniors ministry, televised worship on local
cable access, and after-school ministry; and, members of Abiding Hope
Lutheran Church, Littleton, Colo., will discuss the "value of becoming a
risk-taking congregation."
     "What has worked in evangelism among ELCA congregations across the
country is calling on local neighbors and establishing face-to-face
contact with people.  Evangelism also happens when congregations connect
a message about Jesus in the midst of their social ministry efforts,
thereby making it clear to people why they are doing what they are
doing," she said.
     "Effective evangelism also happens in congregations who are
dedicated to nurturing faith in younger generations through children and
family ministries, and it happens in congregations that witness their
faith not only in the context of worship, but also out in the world,"
Poling-Goldenne said.
-- -- --
     Information about the 2001 ELCA Great Commission Conference, "Go,
Make Disciples:  Release the Power!" is maintained at
http://www.elca.org/eteam/training.htm on the ELCA's Web site.

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