INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with mid-sized membership are learning to evangelize and attract new members as part of a churchwide initiative. The Rev. Marta Poling-Goldenne, director for education and evangelism, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, gave a report on the "Mid- Sized Congregations Transformation Project," at the 2001 ELCA churchwide assembly.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
The Mid-Sized Congregations Transformation Project is part of "Witness to God's Action in the World -- Evangelism" one of the ELCA's "Initiatives for a New Century," launched in 1997. Final reports on the seven initiatives are being presented during the assembly.
Poling-Goldenne said 4,511 of the nearly 11,000 ELCA congregations have a worship attendance of 100 to 300 people, which defines a mid- sized congregation.
The Mid-Sized Congregations Transformation Project helps congregations address barriers to growth, Poling-Goldenne said, "in a practical and proven evangelism strategy."
Congregations work with the Division for Congregational Ministries staff at workshops where participants learn 10 "handles," or tools for setting goals and strengthening community outreach. One year later, congregations assemble to evaluate progress.
Three other actions were implemented as a result of the witness- evangelism initiative, said the Rev. Ronald Warren, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod and chair of the initiative committee.
In March 1999, ELCA staff launched the Web site www.sharingfaith.org,which uses "seeker-sensitive language," Warren said. The site is a mixture of Bible studies, faith stories and information about the ELCA.
A project of men's witnessing and a program to transform struggling congregations were the other two components of the initiative, Warren said. -- -- --
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
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
