Lutherans Plan to Make Christ Known in the New Millennium

CHICAGO (ELCA) When asked what will it take for mainline Protestant churches, particularly the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), to bring people to church in the new millennium, the Rev. Marta Poling Goldenne said "it will take a willingness to speak the language of the people, which means being aware of ethnic diversity, religious pluralism and young adults, youth and children."
Poling-Goldenne is director for witness, evangelism and Christian education, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries. The church's education and evangelism team will sponsor the 2001 Great Commission Conference, "Go, Make Disciples: Release the Power!" Nov. 9-11 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.
The 2001 Great Commission Conference is designed to provide ideas on how pastors, lay leaders, church staff and others can invite people into the Christian faith. Representatives of ELCA congregations from across the country will share what has worked for them in reaching people "with the gospel today" and, through keynote presentations, participants will learn how "to ignite their spirit" for church growth.
Presentations will be delivered by Duncan Campbell, founder and executive director, Friends of the Children, Seattle; the Rev. Mary Ann Moller-Gunderson, Immanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA), Lake Geneva, Wis.; and Steve Sjogren, author of "Conspiracy of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus with Others," and director of Servant Evangelism.com, Cincinnati.
Bible studies will be lead by the Rev. Ernie Hinojosa, Camino Real Christian Fellowship (ELCA), San Antonio, Texas, and the Rev. Kathryn Bradley Love, Martin Luther Lutheran Church (ELCA), Mobile, Ala.
The Rev. Richard Webb, Lutheran Church of Hope (ELCA), West Des Moines, Iowa, will lead worship. The Rev. Dennis Mims, St. James Lutheran Church (ELCA), East Cleveland, Ohio, and the Rev. Barbara Holzhauser, associate director for evangelism, rural and small town ministry, Division for Congregational Ministries, will preach during worship.
"Evangelism works for congregations that learn how to tell the good news of Jesus Christ, bear witness and proclaim Christ in meaningful, relevant and life-changing ways within their local communities," Poling-Goldenne said.
"It is really critical for congregations to listen and respond to people in their surrounding neighborhoods, which means tuning in to the life issues of local neighbors. Congregations need to ask questions like, 'How can we reach and serve our neighbors in ways that makes sense to them while pointing them to Christ?'" she said.
More than 40 workshops will be offered at the conference with topics ranging from "evangelizing" through the Internet to exploring Christian education issues among people with disabilities, from providing practical tips on evangelism among small town congregations to evangelism in multi-ethnic contexts.
"The world has come to our doorstep, and now we must be willing to do mission outside the doors of our churches with the same passion we have been doing with mission overseas," she said. "It is so vital to form relational connections with local neighbors, because when congregations take the time and effort to form bonds of friendship with new immigrants in their community, for instance, that is what gives us authenticity to be able to talk about Christ."
Poling-Goldenne believes Lutherans "need to get clear in their understanding and articulation of the Christian faith. We need to find ways to do that which honors religious diversity while, at the same time, pointing the way to Jesus Christ," she said.
"We know that many people come to [the Christian] faith as children and youth, so one of the opportunities for mainline Protestant churches is to get focused on reaching today's children and youth. It is important to share the gospel in ways which are technically and musically relevant in today's youth culture," Poling-Goldenne said.
Pre-conference "enrichment tracks" will be held Nov. 9. The tracks feature three ELCA congregations noted for their successful evangelism efforts. Members of St. James Lutheran Church, East Cleveland, Ohio, will demonstrate how congregations can reach their urban neighbors through strong Christian education and discipleship ministries; members of St. John Lutheran Church, Nashua, Iowa, will talk about their community-wide seniors ministry, televised worship on local cable access, and after-school ministry; and, members of Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, Littleton, Colo., will discuss the "value of becoming a risk-taking congregation."
"What has worked in evangelism among ELCA congregations across the country is calling on local neighbors and establishing face-to-face contact with people. Evangelism also happens when congregations connect a message about Jesus in the midst of their social ministry efforts, thereby making it clear to people why they are doing what they are doing," she said.
"Effective evangelism also happens in congregations who are dedicated to nurturing faith in younger generations through children and family ministries, and it happens in congregations that witness their faith not only in the context of worship, but also out in the world," Poling-Goldenne said. -- -- --
Information about the 2001 ELCA Great Commission Conference, "Go, Make Disciples: Release the Power!" is maintained at http://www.elca.org/eteam/training.htm on the ELCA's Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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