wfn.org | Task Force Refines Strategy for Lutheran Evangelism

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 16, 2002

TASK FORCE REFINES STRATEGY FOR LUTHERAN EVANGELISM
02-222-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) met here Sept. 5-8 to refine a draft
document of a comprehensive strategy on evangelism for the church.
     Members of the task force spent the first day of the meeting
reading and editing the document.  They shared some first impressions
of the draft with one another and engaged in "roundtable"
discussions.  On the next day, they presented the document to more
than 200 Lutheran Christian educators, evangelism practitioners,
missiologists and others from across the country.
     "We're seeking input from a variety of partners, receiving
feedback from people in the field who are doing outstanding work.  We
want to incorporate their thoughts and prayers in the process of
developing an evangelism strategy for the church.  Together we'll
work to shape the draft," said the Rev. Gary M. Wollersheim, bishop
of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod, Rockford.	Wollersheim is chair
of the task force.
     The meeting "is the single chance we will have to shape the
document together before our presentation to the church" next year,
the Rev. Carmala J. Aderman, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Northwest
Wisconsin Synod, Rice Lake, Wis., told participants.  Aderman
introduced the evangelism strategy draft document and guided the
roundtable discussions.
     The meeting here marked the second full meeting of the task
force; it first met in April 2002.  The ELCA Division for
Congregational Ministries (DCM) assembled the 33-member task force on
evangelism to develop the strategy for presentation and possible
action at the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 11-17, in
Milwaukee.  About 20 staff members of the ELCA and a half-dozen
consultants assisted the task force.
     The work of the task force involves facilitating a "renewed
focus" on prayer for the witness and evangelism ministries of the
ELCA; inviting members of the church to study the place of the gospel
in daily lives; receiving gifts from the church's companions around
the world; and an awareness of previous ELCA research on evangelism.
The task force receives input from DCM, especially the division's
education and evangelism team, and from the ELCA Office of the
Presiding Bishop.
     In a greeting to participants on Sept. 6, the Rev. Mark S.
Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, expressed gratitude for their
work.
     "I have a passion for your work.  You are not just about
developing a strategy, but changing the culture of this church,"
Hanson said.  The church has "accommodated itself to society" by
"privatizing faith."  He challenged the group "not to keep the faith
to themselves but to share it ... for the sake of the world."
     Hanson has engaged the church in a strategic planning process
leading up to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  He told
participants that the evangelism strategy will become an "integral
part of the agenda of the church."
     "A strategy on evangelism is vital for the ELCA.  There are so
many people disengaged, who have somehow disconnected with their
faith, especially from faith in Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Brent W.
Dahlseng, director for the evangelism strategy, DCM.
     "Our church is declining while the population of people in the
United States is growing.  The number of people unchurched in the
country is widening," Dahlseng said.  "The evangelism strategy will
serve to reach the hearts of our own people.  Once they're touched,
the faith connection makes sense and they will be open to touching
the hearts of others, doing simple evangelism in their own
community."
     Participants opened and closed each day with prayer.  A prayer
team was gathered in March 2002 to begin praying for the task force
and the evangelism strategy process, Dahlseng said.
     "Prayer is essential in life, ministry and evangelism.  Part of
this prayer emphasis has been focused on intercession for spiritual
renewal and awakening in this church.  Many prayer groups from
congregations and campus ministries have joined this prayer effort,"
he said.  Dahlseng also serves as associate director for prayer
ministries, Division for Congregational Ministries.
     The DCM board and the ELCA Church Council will receive a
draft of the evangelism strategy for review and comment at their
meetings this fall.

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