INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2001 Churchwide Assembly voted 948 to 6 to adopt the Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry Strategy presented to the assembly by the Rev. Frederick E. N. Rajan, executive director of the ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries, and the Rev. Pongsak Limthongviratn, director for Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries, on Aug.11.
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 strategy developed by the Asian and Pacific Islander community included: expressing support and appreciation for existing ministries of the ELCA with Asian and Pacific Islanders; recommitting the ELCA to partnership with these existing Asian and Pacific Islander congregations; and intensifying outreach with the Gospel among the wider Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
There were concerns expressed in the strategy document about the diversity in populations of Asian and Pacific Islanders and problems of sensitivity among and between them including issues such as different cultures and languages, and dealing with first-, second- and third-generation Asian and Pacific Islanders, nonChristians, and nonchurchgoers.
Limthongviratn said specific goals are to:
* Increase the number of Asian congregations from 75 to 115 -- an increase of 40 congregations in eight years, or four to seven new ministry starts every year.
* Increase the number of Asian and Pacific Islander ELCA members from 23,000 to 32,000 in eight years.
* Provide a network for Asians in 'Anglo' congregations to have cultural support.
* Encourage candidates for seminary and additional leadership training.
* Realize publication of one worship resource in 10 major Asian languages each year.
* Assist Asian and Pacific Islander congregations in stewardship and in outreach in former homelands.
Mr. Y. T. Chiu Jr. spoke to the assembly in Chinese and in English, supporting the action: "It is nice to be different and also the same. A garden with only grass is boring, a garden should have varied grasses, flowers and trees. We bring that gift of difference to you, and I am glad to be among you."
"Will the ELCA fulfill the strategy? My synod has a large population of Asian and Pacific Islanders, offering a great mission opportunity. It will take the whole church to support this strategy," said the Rev. Dean W. Nelson, bishop of the Southern California (West) synod. Rajan assured the assembly, "Working together, we can do this." -- -- --
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.
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