CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended two ethnic-specific ministry strategies for adoption by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this summer. The council also requested that the church support the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan/Palestine.
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 April 6-7. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14 in Indianapolis.
Through the council's Program and Services Committee, the council received with "appreciation" and supported the ELCA Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry Strategy and the ELCA Latino Ministry Strategy. It recommitted the church to "partner" with Asian, Pacific Islander and Latino congregations, and moved to intensify outreach among the wider communities.
The Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry plan articulates the relationships with the ELCA envisioned by Asian and Pacific Islanders. Specific areas of the strategy include congregation development, leadership development, resource development, social ministry, stewardship and mission work in Asia.
"God has blessed us with an opportunity that we wouldn't have thought possible some years ago," the Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan, executive director, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries, told the council. "All Asian and Pacific Islander congregations have participated in the development of the strategy," he said.
There are about 23,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders in the ELCA, Rajan said.
The Latino ministry plan is designed to guide the Latino ministries of the church. Specific areas of the strategy include insight on the identity of Lutheran Latinos, resource development, mission congregations, leadership development and social ministry.
"Latino membership in the ELCA is increasing faster than any other group. Every year membership increases," said Rajan. Between 1990 and 1999 membership increased by 11,962 for a total of 35,245, he said.
In another action, the council reaffirmed its commitment to encourage members of the ELCA to support, through prayer and material assistance, people in the Middle East affected by civil strife.
At its March 2001 meeting, the ELCA Division for Global Mission board requested that the council consider reaffirming its support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan/Palestine.
The council asked the Division for Global Mission, the ELCA Division for Church in Society and others to "strengthen efforts and financial resources committed to education and advocacy programs" about the Middle East; urged the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, to communicate the church's "ongoing solidarity and concern" for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and Palestine to President George W. Bush, members of the U.S. Congress and other public officials; and requested that pastors, lay leaders and the church's 65 synod bishops encourage participation in the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil, which began Dec. 3 and will "continue until the violence ends."
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
