Rajan Nominated Director for ELCA Multicultural Ministries

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan was nominated to serve another four-year term as executive director of the Commission for Multicultural Ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The commission's 24-member steering committee met here March 3-4, unanimously accepted Rajan's nomination and addressed a number of topics to affirm the work of the commission.
"Each ethnic community has its own ethos and history. The commission has been successful in bringing communities together to address the needs and opportunities for ministry," Rajan said.
"We have developed a very comprehensive anti-racism ministry for the church, which consists of four components: training, leadership development, resource production and network development," he said.
"While the ELCA has spoken loud and clear about its commitment to become multicultural through the adoption of policies, strategies, goals and mandates, monitoring the implementation of these continues to remain a challenge," said Rajan.
Rajan said it has been a privilege to work two four-year terms as the commission's executive director. The ELCA Church Council will consider Rajan's re-election at its meeting here April 7-10.
The commission provides advice, counsel and services to assist the church in working toward the goal of full partnership and participation of African American, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Arab and Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanics in the life of the church and society. The commission works in partnership with the ELCA's 11,000 congregations, 65 synods and other churchwide organizations.
The steering committee discussed several other matters.
In a "special session" the Rev. Leslie F. Weber Jr., associate executive director, ELCA Division for Church in Society, led a discussion on welcoming gay and lesbian people in the life of the church.
"Gay and lesbian people participate fully in the life of the church. The ELCA does not support nor accept discrimination towards gay and lesbian people. However, the church has made it clear that it is not ready to ordain gay and lesbian people committed to living in a same-sex relationship," said Weber.
The church will continue to be confronted with challenging issues, Weber said. "There are resources available to help members talk about difficult issues. The ELCA encourages strong deliberation and discernment, and we need to do this in a matter that is pleasing to God. The members of this church will get through the issue. The Holy Spirit will carry us through."
Eva V. Gallardo, Miami, Fla., a member of the steering committee, believes the church's discussion on homosexuality may ultimately divide the church. "We must pay attention to what the Bible can teach us about gay and lesbian people." She said Bible study will help with "our discernment" and suppress division among us.
Ira Frank, Auburn, Wash., a member of the steering committee, said members of the church must continue conversation and support welcoming gay and lesbian people in the life of the church. "We still have not looked at the fact that the church continues to exclude people. The ELCA has not lived up to its goal of having 10 percent of its membership be people of color or whose primary language is not English," he said.
According to Rajan, the church has been "very forthcoming in its position on welcoming all people, irrespective of their sexual orientation. At the same time, the church has been very clear on standards and policies related to ordination."
Rajan believes the commission's steering committee "should not get involved in the matter of same sex marriages and ordination of non-celibate homosexuals."
"We need to avoid, as much as possible, issues which divide our communities. It is beyond the scope of the commission's mandate. We must use our time and energy to strengthen the multicultural ministry work of this church. The ELCA Church Council, Division for Outreach, Division for Ministry and the Division for Church and Society have been given specific responsibilities to address the matter of gay and lesbian people," Rajan told the committee.
In other business, the commission's steering committee: + approved a resolution to increase the budget by $35,000 for African American, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Arab and Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanic ministries. The budget for the commission's racial justice ministry and multicultural interpretation and education ministry will also receive a $35,000 increase; + asked staff of the commission to request authorization from the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop to create an "inter-unit staff team" that will work to integrate 21 recommendations generated from "The Blood That Unites the Diaspora: A Consultation of Black People." The consultation took place June 4-7, 1998, in Tuskegee, Ala.; + received reports on the church's National Hispanic Ministry Strategy and National Asian Ministry Strategy, both to be considered by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly; and + reviewed a progress report on the development of the commission's Web site.
The commission steering committee's next meeting will be held here Oct. 13-14, 2000.

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