CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is extending an invitation to the church's 11,000 congregations to "renew their commitment to be faith-forming communities."= =20 The invitation is part of a major emphasis "to embark on a period of focus on discipleship and faith development" under the ELCA's "Initiatives to Prepare for a New Century."=20
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between meetings of the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly. The council met here Nov. 13-16. Assemblies are = held every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.=20
"In his book, 'Thinking the Faith,' Douglas John Hall says a disciple is by definition one who has not yet arrived," the Rev. M. = Wyvetta Bullock, executive director of the ELCA's Division for Congregational Ministries, told the Church Council. =20
"Discipleship ... is the decision, taken not once but constantly renewed, to explore in depth the meaning of the message in which (Jesus) Christ is central," she said. Bullock said this definition of "disciple" will be a working definition for the church's invitation "to discipleship."=
The council is also encouraging members of the ELCA's Conference of Bishops and staff of the ELCA's 65 synods and churchwide office "to plan strategic and intentional ways of supporting, involving and encouraging this call to discipleship throughout the ELCA in planning and preparation for the years 2000, 2001 and beyond."
In 1997 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly selected seven significant activities of ministry for the 21st century -- deepen worship life, teach the faith, witness God's action in the world, strengthen one another in mission, provide a safe place for children, connect with youth and young adults, and provide leadership development. =20
Leadership teams were formed earlier this year to provide overall guidance for the work of congregations, synods and churchwide organizations=
as they focus on these activities.
=20
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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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
