ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 12, 2003 ELCA Assembly Holds Evangelism Strategy Hearings 03-CWA-10-JAC* MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- During the hearing sessions of the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Aug. 12, voting members were able to discuss with one another questions and concerns about the proposed evangelism strategy of the church. The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 11-17 at the Midwest Airlines Center. There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,031 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World." The session opened in prayer led by the Rev. Michael G. Merkel, New Haven, Conn., member of the ELCA Church Council. "Lead us into conversation about your good news in Jesus," Merkel said. Others who led the discussion included the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM), and the Rev. Robert Wallace, director for evangelism, DCM. "This has been a process that involved many people in the church," Bullock said. The planning was "birthed by the church," she said. The Rev. Margay J. Whitlock, ELCA New Jersey Synod, asked the committee to explain the relationship between the evangelism plan and the strategic plan. The two plans are tied together, Bullock said. The plans are constructed to be conscious of one another and to be conscious of the need in the church, she said. Jonathan Kempe, voting member, ELCA Southwestern Washington Synod, spoke about the presence of the Lutheran faith in society and said that he hopes the evangelism strategy will embrace progressive social stances on current issues including international peace efforts and topics of sexuality and racism. "Why should we buy into the Lutheran church?" Kempe said, stating he believes that to be the key question the task force should ask. John F. Gruber, voting member, ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod, said that he believes all evangelism plans should start with prayer asking for direction. Reginald L. Winfrey, voting member, ELCA Southeastern Synod, also encouraged prayer in congregations. He said that he works as a lawyer for congregations and has seen the impact of prayer. Further, Winfrey encouraged fasting to accompany prayer. The Rev. Gail R. Wolling, voting member, ELCA Upstate New York Synod, said that worship should become the groundwork for evangelism. "When you're evangelized, you're 'good news-ed,'" she said. Dorothy H. Johnson, voting member, ELCA Southern Ohio Synod, said she believes that segregation is evident within congregations. She said that the evangelism strategy should focus on youth and minorities. "First live what you believe," she said. The Rev. Kenneth W. Wheeler, voting member, ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod, agreed with Johnson that people of color and those whose primary language isn't English should be part of the evangelism strategy. He said he applauds the anti-racism efforts of the ELCA and said that the ELCA is good at welcoming people into congregations. Wheeler said the difficult part of evangelizing will not be welcoming others, but rather inviting those outside the ELCA in. Discussion leaders thanked participants for their input and encouraged leaders to be open to new evangelism strategies. -- -- -- Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http://www.elca.org/assembly/03 on the Web. *Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. She is an intern this summer for ELCA News and Media Production. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news