Learning is "Life-Long" for Lutherans

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Continuing education means ongoing spiritual formation, theological growth and leadership development, according to a report outlining specific expectations of "life-long learning" for pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The ELCA Division for Ministry board approved those expectations when it met here March 13-15.
     The report and recommendations on "a systematic approach to life-long learning and development" will be presented to the ELCA Church Council when it meets here April 3-7 for action at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Philadelphia, August 14-20.  The specific expectations include "50 contact hours per year of intentional continuing education."
     After establishing similar expectations for church leaders in the first three years of their careers, the 1995 assembly asked for such expectations of all leaders regardless of how long they've worked for the church, said Dr. Nelvin L. Vos, professor of English at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., and board chair of the ELCA Division for Ministry.
     The ministry board took action on several churchwide programs of recruitment, education, approval, support, continuing education and theological reflection.  It moved forward on several fronts to advance the ELCA's theological education network and to support the healthy and faithful ministry of all Lutherans.
     The division is sending reports to the Churchwide Assembly on the coordination of distance learning; on progress in "clustering;" on progress in fulfilling the 11 imperatives for theological education; and on ministry in daily life and the churchwide initiatives the assembly will consider.
     The use of modern technologies to offer theological education programs away from the traditional settings of seminaries and continuing education centers, the clustering of seminaries and other "providers" of theological education in specific territories into cooperative networks and the establishment of imperatives or goals for the church in the area of theological education are assembly directives from 1993 and 1995 stemming from a study of theological education.
     The 1997 assembly will receive a report from Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson defining key initiatives he discerned from conversations around the church during his first two years in office.  The division's board saw several opportunities in those initiatives to make recommendations to the assembly about ministry in daily life and the spiritual formation of Lutherans who are not seeking a church occupation, said Vos.
     Most recommendations call for including "the concept of ministry in daily life with relevant and concrete suggestions for living the faith" in the ELCA's policies and printed resources or for making "theological education accessible to a broader spectrum of people."
     The board also gave preliminary approval to a draft of "a case statement for increased financial support for theological education."  The final report, "Equipping Leaders for Mission," will be submitted to the 1997 Churchwide Assembly.
     Related to funding the Division for Ministry will ask the ELCA Church Council to establish "The ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission."  The board will also ask the council to reconsider the division's staffing needs and to review and fund implementation of recommendations from a Multicultural Leadership Consultation.
     The churchwide assembly is the ELCA's chief legislative body.  The ELCA Church Council acts on behalf of the assembly between its biennial meetings.
     The board approved the division's 1998 budget of $5,584,395 -- an increase of $115,775 from 1997.  The division added the entire increase to its "seminary relationships" allocation -- $4 million to include $3,901,890 in direct grants to the ELCA's eight seminaries.
     The division also increased the recommended minimum monthly stipend for ELCA interns from $800 to $900 and the yearly tuition fee from $750 to $900 effective for the 1998-99 academic year. Interns are seminarians serving full-time in a congregational ministry to fulfill a year of their educational requirements.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html