by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
The authors of "Chasing Down a Rumor: The Death of Mainline
Denominations" commented on their book in an April 22
presentation to the board of trustees of Augsburg Fortress, the
publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA). The Rev. Robert N. Bacher, retired ELCA executive for
administration, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Dr. Kenneth W. Inskeep,
director, ELCA Research and Evaluation, Chicago, wrote the book
in 2005. "Chasing Down a Rumor" was published by Augsburg Books.
"Some observers think it is over (for mainline churches) or there
is a process under way for decline," Bacher told the board. "Our
conclusion is: not so fast." Change is a normal, constant
companion of the church, and how it is handled is a source of
renewal, Bacher argued. The rumor that mainline churches are
declining can have a "paralyzing effect" and be "a self-
fulfilling prophecy," he warned. Church identity and mission go
together and are important to the future of denominations, Bacher
said.
In the book the authors noted that congregations are increasingly
convinced that their own interests are not "shared interests."
They see their interests as "local and unique," Inskeep said.
Common interests within the denomination are needed, Inskeep
said. For example, Inskeep cited the ELCA publisher's recent
success with "The Lutheran Handbook," which sold more than
116,000 copies. "The idea of community is important to our
future together as a people, as a country and as churches. The
'common' should not be dismissed; it is who we are. We have to
work consciously together to create common interests," he said.
"Chasing Down a Rumor: The Death of Mainline Denominations"
http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/item.asp?ISBN=0806651423&CL
SID=158108&PRODUCTGROUPID=-1
Augsburg Fortress
http://www.augsburgfortress.org/
"The Lutheran Handbook"
http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/item.asp?clsid=171205&isbn=
0806651792
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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
