CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Church ministry is best exercised by men and women working "shoulder to shoulder," according to Douglas Haugen, director for Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The board of LMM met here April 16-19 and affirmed its relationship with Women of the ELCA, the women's organization of the church.
The LMM board received a resolution developed here Feb. 26-28 by Women of the ELCA's Conference of Presidents that expresses the continued mutual support of both organizations. Women of the ELCA resolved to continue their support of LMM through "prayer, publicity and participation."
The resolution was submitted to the board by Sharroll Bernahl, Fort Morgan, Colo., president, Women of the ELCA.
About a year ago the board for LMM discussed what makes the men's organization unique from other men's ministries, said Haugen. "The strong point was that men in the ELCA tend to work collegially with women. We basically take instruction from the book of Ephesians [in the Christian Bible] that says we will work with each other out of mutual reverence for Jesus Christ," Haugen said.
The goal of LMM is to build men's faith, relationships and ministry through men's gatherings, resources produced by the organization and leadership development.
"Our commitment is to assist every congregation in establishing an effective, life changing men's ministry so that every man would become a stronger churchman and a stronger family man," he said.
"Lutheran Men in Mission takes an honest look at what the world, church and community is today, not what it has been," said the Rev. Roland D. Martinson, a professor of pastoral care at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. The ELCA men's organization looks at "the God story" as it is and uses that as a new way for building men's ministry, he said.
Martinson spoke at the board meeting and highlighted some challenges in men's ministry today. "Vast numbers of men in the United States are lonely and churches do not provide male-friendly ways or means of forming relationships in communities. Many men also see church as 'good guys only' ... and 'holy' guys are welcome."
Lutheran men between the ages of 30 and 49 are the least likely to worship regularly, Martinson said. "Preaching and teaching sometimes gives pat answers that do not agree with a male's experience. Men need realistic preaching with room for doubt."
"Lutheran Men in Mission should advocate for young people," said Tim Oelke, Wahpeton, N.D., a representative of the ELCA's Lutheran Youth Organization. "It means more to young people when the church raises contemporary issues -- pre-marital sex, drugs, depression and stress management -- than schools," he told the board.
LMM is organized in 42 of the 65 synods of the ELCA.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
