PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Almost unanimously, more than 900 voting members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America overwhelmingly approved "Seven Initiatives for a New Century" during the Monday afternoon plenary session of the fifth biennial Churchwide Assembly being held here Aug. 14-20.
With not a single word of discussion, voting members said yes to "Seven Initiatives for a New Century" introduced by the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA at this assembly. The vote was 913-5 (99.5 percent - 0.5 percent).
Anderson introduced the initiatives to the assembly at its first plenary session last Thursday. His presentation received a standing ovation then, and was uplifted item by item in the Saturday afternoon presentation from the Youth Convocation to the assembly.
"When society is in a molten state, when everything is being 'reinvented,' the church has a matchless opportunity to be engaged in shaping whatever new society will emerge. Communities that have a clear purpose and definite goals that will become the crystallization points for the world of the future," said Anderson in his report Thursday. Anderson's address received a 3-minute standing ovation after he addressed the gathering of more than 1,000 voting members and visitors at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Anderson proposed seven key initiatives from the 5.2 million members of the ELCA, built upon five foundational strengths that he believes the ELCA can bring to a world in turmoil and transition. "This not a cookie cutter, seven-point program for everyone, but a way to focus creative energy and a system to share the ideas that are working."
The "Initiatives for a New Century" would be catalysts for Lutherans to deepen worship life, teach the faith, witness to God's action in the world, strengthen one another in mission, help the children, connect with youth and young adults, and develop leaders for the next century.
Anderson characterizes the ELCA as a global church; a church of grace and gratitude; a serving church; a realistic church; and as a teaching church. The seven specific initiatives are offered for Assembly approval to "get us out into mission," Anderson said.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
