wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Learns Mid-Sized Congregations Are Reaching out

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 10, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY LEARNS MID-SIZED CONGREGATIONS ARE REACHING OUT
01-CWA25-LS

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) with mid-sized membership are learning to
evangelize and attract new members as part of a churchwide initiative.
The Rev. Marta Poling-Goldenne, director for education and evangelism,
ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, gave a report on the "Mid-
Sized Congregations Transformation Project," at the 2001 ELCA churchwide
assembly.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There
are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting
members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     The Mid-Sized Congregations Transformation Project is part of
"Witness to God's Action in the World -- Evangelism" one of the ELCA's
"Initiatives for a New Century," launched in 1997. Final reports on the
seven initiatives are being presented during the assembly.
     Poling-Goldenne said 4,511 of the nearly 11,000 ELCA congregations
have a worship attendance of 100 to 300 people, which defines a mid-
sized congregation.
     The Mid-Sized Congregations Transformation Project helps
congregations address  barriers to growth, Poling-Goldenne said, "in a
practical and proven evangelism strategy."
     Congregations work with the Division for Congregational Ministries
staff at workshops where participants learn 10 "handles," or tools for
setting goals and strengthening community outreach. One year later,
congregations assemble to evaluate progress.
     Three other actions were implemented as a result of the witness-
evangelism initiative, said the Rev. Ronald Warren, bishop of the ELCA
Southeastern Synod and chair of the initiative committee.
     In March 1999, ELCA staff launched the Web site
www.sharingfaith.org,which uses "seeker-sensitive language," Warren
said. The site is a mixture of Bible studies, faith stories and
information about the ELCA.
     A project of men's witnessing and a program to transform
struggling congregations were the other two components of the
initiative, Warren said.
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates
during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

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