CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The purpose of stewardship in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is "to serve the will of God." That vision is expressed in "Stewardship at the Heart of the Church," a new plan developed by the stewardship and mission giving team of the ELCA.
The board of the ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM) met here Feb. 26-28 and affirmed the plan. The stewardship and mission giving team is housed in DCM, which is organized into ministry teams to carry out its work with and on behalf of ELCA congregations.
"Stewardship at the Heart of the Church" can be transformed into a multi-year plan, which includes strategies and implementation components, said the Rev. Ronald B. Ferrell, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dixon, Ill. Ferrell is a member of the DCM board.
"The piece provides a fresh theological model for stewardship in ELCA congregations," Ferrell said. "It looks at stewardship holistically in the life of a congregation, and it has the potential for each member to look at his or her stewardship more than just financially."
"Stewardship at the Heart of the Church" is divided into two sections: Vision Statement and Stewardship Development Strategy. The strategy portion of the document includes seven elements: + A theology of stewardship and funding of God's mission + A new body of research + Resources for relationship-based stewardship programs + Effective and efficient fund raising + New services for congregations + New energy for evangelism + New audiences
"Whether funding the ministries of the church as an institution or equipping members for their God-directed work in the world, the behaviors, programs and structures of congregational stewardship are all wrapped into God's purposes," says the document. "The function of stewardship is to unify congregations in purpose and meaning, serving as a standard by which their effectiveness is measured and their identity described."
The stewardship and mission giving team works "to help all ELCA members develop as stewards in their faith-filled lives," and to "equip, nurture and challenge leaders to provide stewardship education and to generate and integrate financial support for the mission of the church."
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 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
