LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (ELCA) -- To help guide the outdoor and men's ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the board for the church's Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM) endorsed multi-year "strategic" plans for Outdoor Ministries and Lutheran Men in Mission, the men's organization of the ELCA, at its meeting here Oct. 20-22.
The purpose of Lutheran Men in Mission is to "strengthen men's Christian faith, relationships and mission in their homes, church and communities," said Douglas Haugen, director for men's ministries, DCM.
The plan is designed to guide the work of the men's organization and ministry in the next five years. Goals articulated in the plan include securing active participation by men "of all ages and cultures" in the life of Lutheran Men in Mission, increasing financial support for the men's organization, and building quality program resources for men's ministry.
The components of the plan include a mission statement, vision, a list of "values," organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, strategies and initiatives.
"The plan is unique in that it looks realistically at strengths and weaknesses of conducting men's ministries in the church," said the Rev. John B. Mawhirter, Sandusky, Ohio, DCM board member.
A strength of men's ministry illustrated in the plan is the "number of resources, newsletters, Bible studies and other materials that serve as a foundation for spreading the work of Lutheran Men in Mission," said Haugen. Another strength is the "mutually beneficial relationships" shared, such as Lutheran Men in Mission and Women of the ELCA, the women's organization of the church.
"A large number of men in congregations of the ELCA still do not know about Lutheran Men in Mission," Haugen said. That is a weakness articulated in the plan, he said. "Name recognition and grassroots support within all ELCA churches is essential to expand our witness and outreach."
In a separate decision, the DCM board endorsed the multi-year strategic plan for ELCA Outdoor Ministries. The plan is designed to "enrich Christian faith and life through camping and retreat experiences."
There are 145 outdoor ministries in the United States and Caribbean that operate independently but are related to the ELCA, said Mark D. Burkhardt, director for outdoor ministries, DCM. Outdoor ministry is an "interdependent partner in the mission and ministry of the ELCA," said Burkhardt.
The 2001-2004 strategic plan for DCM's outdoor ministry consists of five goals. They are to develop well-educated, committed and diverse outdoor ministry leaders; enhance the quality of outdoor ministry programs; build and maintain a stable financial base for outdoor ministries; strengthen outdoor ministry relationships and explore new partnerships and alliances; and provide effective communication within the outdoor ministries network. The plan includes a time line illustrating how goals will be carried out in the course of five years.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
