ELCA begins homeless ministry network

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) and representatives from 14 homeless ministries across the
country have officially launched the ELCA homeless ministry network -- a
coalition of ministries designed not only as an outreach but led by
people with personal experiences of homelessness and poverty.
“Evangelism and justice are coming together in fresh and surprising
ways as we begin new ministry starts among people who are homeless and
living in poverty,” said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, executive director for
congregational and synodical mission, ELCA churchwide ministries. “This
is not ministry ‘for’ but ministry ‘with’ and ‘by’ leaders who are
homeless and in poverty.”
The group met earlier this fall in Philadelphia to form the
network. Teresa Jackson attended as a representative from Peace Lutheran
Church in Tacoma, Wash. Jackson was homeless before becoming involved in
Peace’s poverty and homelessness ministries. Now she serves on the
outreach board of the ELCA Southwestern Washington Synod.
Jackson said she was invigorated by the opportunity to connect with
others from across the country. “It’s fun working with other people,” she
said. “The part I liked, of course, besides getting the information was
networking with all these people from across the country. I came home
with all kinds of great ideas,” a number of which she has started
implementing in her congregation.
The network aims to connect those who are working to address the
root causes of homelessness and alleviating it. Participants of the
network share their stories and ideas and work together to strengthen the
ELCA’s capacity to confront and help end hunger, poverty and injustice.
“People experiencing homelessness are just as equal as any other
baptized believer,” said the Rev. Ruben Duran, director for new
congregations at ELCA churchwide ministries. “Each [participant] has a
story but when you put these together, all of a sudden there is a voice
that is much needed in the ELCA. [The network] is going to energize us as
a church because of what the spirit is doing through these people.”
The group plans to meet again in February to discuss next steps.
Until then, leaders will continue to discern how best to use their
resources and skills to meet the needs of homeless communities across the
country.
“New communities of Jesus are emerging in various ways,” said
Bouman. “In Philadelphia, pastors and leaders (including homeless
leaders) from 14 of these new starts came together for mutual
consultation, prayer and inspiration. This cohort will expand as the ELCA
renews its resolve to plant the church where Jesus has promised to be
found, in places of hurt and hope where people struggle with poverty and
new beginnings.”