CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 5.15 million members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) give top priority to helping change lives for the better in the United States and around the world. One way individuals and congregations make that happen is by supporting Vision for Mission, an annual offering designed to support the church's domestic and global mission.
The ELCA has been able to train teachers in Tanzania, support a seminary in Madagascar, train care-givers in Namibia, and drill wells in Nigeria, in part by gifts to Vision for Mission, according to Kathleen Hetland, coordinator, Vision for Mission, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
Since 1988, 328 new congregations have been organized in the United States, which now have a baptized membership of more than 80,000 members, with the help of Vision for Mission, she said.
The offering provides an opportunity for members of the church "to make gifts over and above regular congregational giving," said Hetland. Established by the 1993 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Vision for Mission is designed "to support domestic and global mission through celebrative giving," she said.
As of 2000, contributions to Vision for Mission totaled more than $8 million. "Contributors to Vision for Mission have a big heart for what the church does," Hetland said.
An endowment of $4.25 million for Vision for Mission is maintained by the ELCA Foundation. The endowment will help provide financial support in the development of new churches in the United States in partnership with the ELCA Division for Outreach; support worldwide ministries with the ELCA Division for Global Mission; and develop evangelism resources through the ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
Through Vision for Mission, members of the ELCA have also been able to promote basic human rights around the world through the Division for Global Mission and other churchwide divisions; support ELCA companion synod relationships that link some of the ELCA's 65 synods with Lutheran churches around the world; and help congregations and families cope with the U.S. farm crisis by assisting small town and rural congregations with strategic planning.
In a letter to contributors of Vision for Mission, the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said, "If we were face-to- face, I would tell you about the places where I've seen this mission work first hand -- in new congregations embracing diverse ethnic and cultural groups and all economic classes, and in the faces of fellow Lutherans from Slovakia to Namibia, hungry for the gospel Word."
Vision for Mission materials, sent to individual members and congregations of the ELCA every year, include bulletin announcements, newsletter articles and vignettes, a poster, suggested hymns and prayers, and "Live the Vision" offering packets and envelopes. The third Sunday in May is designated as the day to launch the Vision for Mission Annual Churchwide Offering, although "other dates can be chosen," said Hetland. - - -
Information about Vision for Mission is maintained at www.elca.org/dcm/stewardship/vision/background.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
