ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 31, 2003 ELCA Survey Shows Need For Development, Evangelism 03-151-JAC* CHICAGO (ELCA) -- First Call Theological Education is an ongoing Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) program designed to assist new ELCA pastors and non-ordained lay leaders during their first three years of a call to ministry. Program participants recently evaluated the program by answering a variety of questions. A survey was sent to 824 pastors in their first three years of ordained ministry and 618 completed surveys were returned. The participants ranged in age from 24 to 75. Responses were analyzed by gender differences and whether leaders were in their first careers or in second careers. Results from the survey focused on the level of preparedness of new pastors, said Connie Leean Seraphine, project coordinator, First Call Theological Education, ELCA Division for Ministry. The survey showed that participants felt most confident in preaching, preparing worship services and visiting church members. It also showed that participants felt least confident planning church budgets, planning stewardship programs and managing church offices. Second-career pastors rated themselves as better prepared for working effectively with congregational leaders, guiding committees and addressing ethical issues in their communities, Seraphine said. Participants were also asked how prepared they were to meet congregational needs. Areas of ministry felt to be most needed were helping congregations work toward a vision, reaching unchurched persons and helping congregations revitalize their ministry. Helping people grow spiritually was also rated high, but women felt this was more needed than men and also felt more prepared to work on this need. The survey also showed that participants expressed that the need was high in many areas of evangelism, but the preparedness of the pastors was low. "They've heard a lot about the church moving in that direction," Seraphine said. "They're being taught it but don't know how to get people excited about evangelism once they're in the congregational context." One area of evangelism that First Call is currently focusing on is supporting first call pastors who are starting new congregations or revitalizing existing ones, Seraphine said. A $31,000 grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Minneapolis-based fraternal financial organization, will help fund this initiative, she said. Editors: For a summary of the survey, please send requests via email to [log in to unmask] * Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news