Latino Lutherans Put Talents to Work for Mission and Ministry

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- According to U.S. census figures released this year, Latinos may be the fastest-growing and largest ethnic group emerging in the country. Taking that into consideration, Spanish-speaking congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are putting their "God-given talents and gifts" to work to enhance and sustain mission and ministry.
Through a program called "Dones en Accion" (Gifts in Action), ELCA congregations across the United States and Puerto Rico are approaching ministry "in life-changing ways by using their God-given talents and gifts," according to Evelyn B. Soto, director for multilingual and culture-specific resources, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
"If current census trends are correct, Dones en Accion can serve as a vital approach for ministry among Lutheran Latino congregations looking to organize and renew their mission and ministry," Soto said.
"In the past some Latino congregations of the ELCA have operated on a needs-based approach or a deficit approach to ministry," said Soto. "Congregations have formed their budget and developed ministries by first asking: 'What do we need for ministry?'
"Dones en Accion begins with the question: 'What are the gifts and abilities of congregation leaders?' It engages leaders to look at gifts, skills and abilities already present in a congregation, how God has graced them and their church, and what God has done in the lives of Lutherans," she said.
Dones en Accion uses a 140-page "field guide" called "Dones de Gracia: Guia de Accion para Congregaciones" (Gifts of Grace: An Action Guide for Congregations) that includes theological background, case studies and "how-tos" for congregation leaders, all directed toward an asset-based approach to congregational renewal. The book is also designed for ecumenical audiences interested in the asset- based approach.
"The program involves a shift in behavior and attitude," Soto said. "When we understand God's abundance in our lives, and the gifts and talents given to us by God over what we lack to carry out ministry, we begin to talk and act differently. Our perceptions change, which presents an interesting analogy. If one pours several half-empty glasses of water into one half-empty cup, the cup overflows. So, the glass is never really 'half empty' but 'half full.' When a church begins to assess all the gifts of its individual members, the church will operate with an abundance of gifts for use in a church's mission and ministry."
With support from the ELCA Division for Ministry and Division for Outreach, the Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM) hosted a series of meetings and training sessions last year for Latino staff from several of the ELCA's 65 synods, pastors and other congregation leaders to introduce Dones en Accion in synods and congregations. Training sessions were held in California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico. They will continue this year in Pennsylvania, Texas and Puerto Rico.
"Trainers are now available to help implement Dones en Accion," said Soto.
Idalia Negron, DCM deployed stewardship staff serving the ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dorado, Puerto Rico, facilitated the implementation of Dones en Accion in several of the 26 ELCA congregations on Puerto Rico last year. With the implementation of the program, churches have seen a shift in the way members volunteer, Negron said.
At Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Getsemani, Dorado, members now, more than ever, freely volunteer to participate in worship, sign up to be lectors, teach Sunday school, cook or share music, Negron said. Before Dones en Accion, members were often coerced to participate in church activities, she said.
"Because we have taken the time to assess the congregation's God-given gifts and talents and use them in the community of faith, ministry has grown. An idea of Dones en Accion is that "when people begin to discover what they are good at doing, they take charge. That is life-changing. And, as a result, we have seen new leaders emerge and ministries expand," Negron said.
The process of "mapping assets" also works to organize a congregation, especially in forming committees or groups to carry out certain ministries of the church, Negron said.
Another key element to Dones en Accion is its biblical foundation. The program is not merely another program for congregations to implement but "it is a calling from God. Dones en Accion inspires congregations to revitalize communities, using what God has given, and to renew the message of Jesus Christ," she said.
Maria Paiva, director for Latino ministry, ELCA Southwest California Synod, Glendale, Calif., and member of Iglesia Luterana Angelica, Los Angeles, said she has been impacted with the application of Dones en Accion among young people.
"Many of our young people have felt they do not serve the church in important ways. But, when we uncovered their God-given gifts, they began to understand their value in the church. The church is not for them to serve in the future at an older age, but they represent the church now and must share their gifts now," Paiva said.
The Rev. A. David Anglada, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod, New York, introduced Dones en Accion at the Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC), Bronx, New York. LPAC is a faith-based, non-profit organization that equips clergy and other leaders to serve effectively in church and society.
Operating on an annual budget of $4.6 million, LPAC relies on government funding for its survival, Anglada said. A goal of implementing Dones en Accion at LPAC was to demonstrate "how the gifts and talents of staff can be used as part of their stewardship toward the institution." As a result, Anglada said staff deepened their "vision in the work of the organization" and managed to raise some funds for new ministries without much government support.
"People have many gifts and assets to share. Once they see how these gifts are used, it creates a better sense of investment in what they are doing. I, too, am reminded that I am a gift of God not in an arrogant sort of way but humbly, through God's grace."
Dones en Accion was developed in partnership with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Hispanic Ministries. Research used to develop the program was funded in part by the former Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) through its Cooperative Parish Project Committee. In 2001 AAL merged with Lutheran Brotherhood to form Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a fraternal benefit organization based in Minneapolis. _ _ _
Information about Dones en Accion and other resources in Spanish is maintained at http://www.elca.org/dcm/espanol.html on the Internet. "Dones de Gracia: Guia de Accion para Congregaciones" is available through Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, the publishing house of the ELCA. The book's ISBN number is 6-0001-6748-2.

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