Former Pastor's Misconduct Leads to Review of ELCA Policies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The criminal sexual misconduct of a former pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has led the church to take a closer look at the process it uses to screen candidates for its lay and ordained ministries. The candidacy process involves the ELCA Division for...
Murray Finck Re-Elected Bishop of ELCA Pacifica Synod
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Murray D. Finck was elected May 13 to a second six-year term as bishop of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod assembly at the Riverside Convention Center, Riverside, Calif. Finck, 55, received 303 of 392 votes on...
Lutheran Network on Mental Illness Renews Dedication
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran Network on Mental Illness/Brain Disorders (LNMI) renewed its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, revisited some of its accomplishments and made key decisions about its future work. Network leaders met here April 29-May 2. The Rev. Stewart...
Pamela Jolicoeur Named President of ELCA's Concordia College
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of regents of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., voted unanimously May 3 to name Dr. Pamela Jolicoeur president of the college. She will be the 10th president in Concordia's 113-year history and is expected to assume the role in July. Concordia College is one of 28...
Leonard Schulze to Leave ELCA Leadership Post with DHES
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Leonard G. Schulze, executive director of the Division for Higher Education and Schools (DHES) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced May 7 he will leave the churchwide organization when his four-year term ends June 15. In an e-mail message to churchwide staff, Schulze,...
ELCA, Disciples of Christ Begin New Ecumenical Dialogue
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Representatives of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met here April 29-May 2 to launch a new dialogue between the two churches. They discussed Baptism and the Lord's Supper, as well as Christian concepts related to covenants and confessions....
ELCA Files Suit Against Insurance Companies in Texas Case
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) filed suit May 7 in a Marshall, Texas, district court against three of its liability insurance carriers. The suit asks for the court's help to determine the proper amount of a settlement each should bear in...
ELCA Council Discusses Church Governance, Consultations
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) heard a report on responses to a "Questionnaire on Decision-Making" in the ELCA. It also advanced planning to relate council members more closely with local expressions of the church. The Church Council is the ELCA's board...
ELCA 'Plan for Mission,' Restructuring Enters Phase Two
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- May through July 2004 is "Phase Two" of the next steps for "Faithful Yet Changing: The Plan for Mission in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)." There are three phases to a process that will lead to a new design for the ELCA churchwide organization's structure,...
ELCA Seminaries Plan 2004 Commencements
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The seminaries and extension centers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) prepare candidates for lay and ordained ministry in the church. Commencement exercises close their 2003-2004 academic year. The date, school, keynote speaker and site of the exercises are given: May 14 Lutheran Theological Seminary...
Lutherans Continue to 'Stand With Africa' in Unique Ways
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans give special emphasis to relief and development work in Africa, an often forgotten continent. Working with churches and communities to overcome AIDS, producing enough food to eat and sell, and building peace are goals Lutherans in the United States are striving to achieve as they "Stand...
Rimbo Re-Elected Bishop of ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Robert A. Rimbo, 53, was elected April 29 to a second six-year term as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) during the synod's assembly at Greater Grace Temple City of David, Detroit. Rimbo received 193 votes on...
LCMS Praesidium Suggests Cooperative Ministry with ELCA Continues
ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- The Praesidium of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS) is recommending to this year's LCMS convention that current LCMS working relationships with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) be continued. At the same time, the Praesidium -- the Synod's president and five vice presidents --...
Lutherans Support Relief Efforts in Haiti
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed $50,000 to support relief efforts in Haiti. The recent political upheaval surrounding the departure of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has created a humanitarian crisis there. "An estimated 3 million people have been affected by the crisis,"...
Lutherans Participate in Food Aid to North Korea
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed $60,000 for food aid in North Korea. Since 1995 North Korea has experienced natural disasters, crop failures and economic decline. The government has not been able to provide assistance for people, especially children, in North Korea....
Lutherans Strive to Raise $1.75 million for 'Vision for Mission'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will strive to raise $1.75 million this year for "Vision for Mission," a special offering designated to support the church's domestic and global ministries. "Vision for Mission offers an annual opportunity for members of the church to give...
Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue Completes Round Ten
MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- With a roll-call vote here on April 23, members of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue in the United States unanimously approved "The Church as Koinonia of Salvation: Its Structures and Ministries," a 69-page document. The document is the fruit of the dialogue's 10th round, explaining why both traditions...
Lutheran Young Adults Set to Serve Around the World
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 40 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), ages 19-30, will offer their time and talents in congregations, church schools and social ministry settings around the world this summer as part of "Young Adults in Global Mission." Established in 1999 with 10 participants,...
ELCA Council Affirms Committee Ruling on DHES 'Election'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Without comment, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirmed a ruling of its Legal and Constitutional Review Committee that voided an action of the board of the Division for Higher Education and Schools (DHES). The board acted to 'elect' the division's executive...
ELCA Council Updated on Renewing Worship, Health Plan Redesign
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received an update on the church's project to develop the "next generation of worship resources," and it approved changes to the ELCA medical and dental benefits plan. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors...
