Rostered Ministers Gathering

Bishop Matthew Riegel

A new task force is continuing the unfinished work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church to reconsider the purpose statements of the three expressions of the ELCA. How should the task force approach this work to avoid the potential pitfalls of political pragmatism and unreflective dogmatism? This interactive workshop proposes a philosophical and theological model for discussing the purpose of the church that first seeks clarity on the term "church." Next, it will explore the nature and ends of the church. We’ll discuss four classes for categorizing the works of the church. Finally, we’ll specify the works of each of the expressions (congregation, synod and churchwide), identifying the relationships between the expressions. Workshop participants will help add detail to the model and test it for its usefulness in thinking about the church's purpose in general, the purpose statements of each of the three expressions of the ELCA, specifically, and interdependence.

1 hour