CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met here Sept. 5-8 to refine a draft document of a comprehensive strategy on evangelism for the church.
Members of the task force spent the first day of the meeting reading and editing the document. They shared some first impressions of the draft with one another and engaged in "roundtable" discussions. On the next day, they presented the document to more than 200 Lutheran Christian educators, evangelism practitioners, missiologists and others from across the country.
"We're seeking input from a variety of partners, receiving feedback from people in the field who are doing outstanding work. We want to incorporate their thoughts and prayers in the process of developing an evangelism strategy for the church. Together we'll work to shape the draft," said the Rev. Gary M. Wollersheim, bishop of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod, Rockford. Wollersheim is chair of the task force.
The meeting "is the single chance we will have to shape the document together before our presentation to the church" next year, the Rev. Carmala J. Aderman, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Northwest Wisconsin Synod, Rice Lake, Wis., told participants. Aderman introduced the evangelism strategy draft document and guided the roundtable discussions.
The meeting here marked the second full meeting of the task force; it first met in April 2002. The ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM) assembled the 33-member task force on evangelism to develop the strategy for presentation and possible action at the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 11-17, in Milwaukee. About 20 staff members of the ELCA and a half-dozen consultants assisted the task force.
The work of the task force involves facilitating a "renewed focus" on prayer for the witness and evangelism ministries of the ELCA; inviting members of the church to study the place of the gospel in daily lives; receiving gifts from the church's companions around the world; and an awareness of previous ELCA research on evangelism. The task force receives input from DCM, especially the division's education and evangelism team, and from the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop.
In a greeting to participants on Sept. 6, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, expressed gratitude for their work.
"I have a passion for your work. You are not just about developing a strategy, but changing the culture of this church," Hanson said. The church has "accommodated itself to society" by "privatizing faith." He challenged the group "not to keep the faith to themselves but to share it ... for the sake of the world."
Hanson has engaged the church in a strategic planning process leading up to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. He told participants that the evangelism strategy will become an "integral part of the agenda of the church."
"A strategy on evangelism is vital for the ELCA. There are so many people disengaged, who have somehow disconnected with their faith, especially from faith in Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Brent W. Dahlseng, director for the evangelism strategy, DCM.
"Our church is declining while the population of people in the United States is growing. The number of people unchurched in the country is widening," Dahlseng said. "The evangelism strategy will serve to reach the hearts of our own people. Once they're touched, the faith connection makes sense and they will be open to touching the hearts of others, doing simple evangelism in their own community."
Participants opened and closed each day with prayer. A prayer team was gathered in March 2002 to begin praying for the task force and the evangelism strategy process, Dahlseng said.
"Prayer is essential in life, ministry and evangelism. Part of this prayer emphasis has been focused on intercession for spiritual renewal and awakening in this church. Many prayer groups from congregations and campus ministries have joined this prayer effort," he said. Dahlseng also serves as associate director for prayer ministries, Division for Congregational Ministries.
The DCM board and the ELCA Church Council will receive a draft of the evangelism strategy for review and comment at their meetings this fall.
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
