CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Cynthia J. Halverson, former vice president of The Alford Group, a national nonprofit consulting firm based in Chicago, began a new position Aug. 2 as director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Fund for Leaders in Mission. Halverson will work with the ELCA Foundation and Division for Ministry.
"Cynthia brings very strong gifts to the position because of her background in development in the Lutheran church," said the Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director, ELCA Division for Ministry.
Prior to her position at The Alford Group, Halverson, 41, was the director of development for Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois and vice president of resource development at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
Halverson is a Certified Fund Raising Executive accredited by the National Association of Fund Raising Executives. She is a former executive secretary for the Association of Lutheran Development Executives.
The ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission was established by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly with the ultimate goal of financially supporting every synodically endorsed student attending an ELCA seminary preparing for lay or ordained ministry in the church, said the Rev. Donald M. Hallberg, executive director, ELCA Foundation. The fund is a "natural tie" to the ELCA Initiative "develop leaders for the next century," one of seven strategic goals set by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, he said.
Two fraternal benefits organizations -- Lutheran Brotherhood, Minneapolis, and Aid Association for Lutherans, Appleton, Wis., -- gave $500,000 each for initial financial support to the fund.
"The fund will impact the leadership of the ELCA for decades to come as we attract committed people for positions in our church. Leadership is crucial as we move into the next century," Hallberg said.
"Many young people graduating from seminary are carrying debt loads that prohibit them from taking calls at smaller parishes," he said.
Halverson will "focus the churches' attention" on the need to support ELCA candidates for ministry financially, Hallberg said.
ELCA seminaries currently offset 42 percent of the average seminarian's tuition cost of more than $5,000 per year, according to "Equipping Leaders for Mission," a resource booklet created by the Division for Ministry for the 1997 Churchwide Assembly.
Halverson is married to the Rev. Brian K. Halverson, Northlake Lutheran Church, Northlake, Ill. They are the parents of two daughters, Madeleine, 4, and Eliza Grace, 2.
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
