CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has outlined a vision for the ELCA in 20 years. Anderson shared six characteristics for the future church in his report to the ELCA Church Council Nov. 11.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide assemblies. The council met here Nov. 10-13. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, 2001, in Indianapolis.
Anderson's six-point vision for the ELCA in 2020 is:
+ that the church will be representative of the diverse population of the United States;
+ that the church will work effectively with ecumenical partners;
+ that the church will be noted for its solidarity with the poor;
+ that members will connect their faith with their daily life;
+ that congregations will see themselves as mission centers; and
+ that its leaders will focus on helping members to use their talents for ministry.
Anderson said he drew up the list at the request of a council's Planning and Evaluation Committee.
"We must keep long-term goals in mind," he said. The presiding bishop has continually emphasized the ELCA's ministry with the poor. In response, the church council, in 1999, designated $3 million in reserve funds for ministry among people in poverty.
"It should be possible for some churches in this country to be known for solidarity with the poor," he added.
In his report to the council, Anderson confirmed he will not accept a nomination for another term as bishop. Anderson's six-year term concludes Oct. 31, 2001. A new presiding bishop will be elected at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Indianapolis, and that person will be installed Oct. 6, 2001. Anderson also said there will be a "substantial transition" in the ELCA Office of the Bishop, because others are also expected to retire. -- -- --
Documents from the Church Council meeting are available at http://www.elca.org/os/churchcouncil/actions.html on the ELCA Web site.
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
