Title: ELCA Sets Global Mission Priorities
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
April 4, 1996
ELCA SETS GLOBAL MISSION PRIORITIES (97 lines)
96-08-024-AH
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Evangelism, leadership, elimination of
poverty and oppression, South-South relationships and mission to
the ELCA" are five "interactive, mutually supporting" priorities
that will guide the work of the Division for Global Mission (DGM)
in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America toward the year
2000.
The board of the division adopted the 1996-1999 priorities
at its meeting here March 21-24. They will guide how the ELCA
chooses to use its "people, time, energy, experience and money."
In her report the Rev. Bonnie L. Jensen, executive director,
stressed the leadership priority saying, "We will assist partner
churches to do what they see is needed." The emphasis is not new
for DGM; all five priorities closely resemble those set in place
in 1991. Jensen said she intends to keep asking: "How do we
listen to those voices that are not part of our regular
discussions?"
In the leadership area the division will continue to "focus
on programs of theological education" and "give priority to
programs that develop the potential of women and children and the
leadership of women, including literacy, basic education and
training that will help them to fully participate in church and
society."
Under the evangelism priority the board agreed to "continue
to give special attention to the world of Islam" and develop
expertise in Buddhism and "emerging secularism in modern Asia."
Following an animated discussion the board voted to reject
an effort to add a word of direction to "join with others in
witnessing to the gospel in countries of the former Soviet Union,
Central and Eastern Europe." Board members struggled to express
their clear desire to reach out to the regions of the former
communist bloc without sending a message to partner Lutheran
churches around the world that support for other areas of mission
would diminish.
The discussion illuminated the board#s dilemma and the mixed
feelings Americans have about mission in Europe. J. David
Ellwanger, Plano, Texas, said ELCA members want to see their
church "witnessing to those who have not heard the gospel of
Jesus Christ. We are dealing with a reality that has dominated
world history for years." The Rev. James A. Sherer, Oak Park,
Ill., said, "A new mission context is available to us."
The Rev. Richard J. Meier, Rockford, Ill., said he
recognized that naming individual countries, such as Russia,
might not be helpful and suggested the phrase "countries that are
emerging from secular communism." Ellwanger proposed "countries
oppressed by years of godless communism." The Rev. Winston J.
Persaud, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, suggested
a non-geographical term such as "the post-Marxist context" might
best identity the goal.
Jensen pointed to the division's commitment to existing
churches "such as the two Lutheran churches that survived and
remained faithful to the gospel through many decades of
isolation, and the Russian Orthodox Church, which has maintained
ministry in Russia for 1,000 years." The division's approach to
ministry in Central and Eastern Europe has centered around
relationships with existing churches and providing resources for
theological education, she said.
The Rev. Robert Navarro, Tampa, Fla., expressed concern that
resources will flow out of ELCA congregations to independent
evangelical groups that are active there. "They are being
courted for this effort now," he said.
The Rev. Nancy Maeker, who chairs the board, said in an
interview, "The result signifies the board's confidence in the
Europe program DGM already has in place and the strong commitment
to evangelism reflected in the priorities." She explained,
"Omitting specific mention of the former Soviet Union does not
represent any lack of commitment or forgetting what happened
there. The board acted in consideration of our partner churches
around the globe." Maeker is dean of students at Luther
Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
The priority called "South-South Relationships" refers to
DGM's commitment to facilitating exchanges and cooperation among
churches in regions "in which conditions of repression or lack of
economic development have hindered full participation in the
global community" or where Christians are in the minority. This
definition includes Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.
The Rev. H. George Anderson, bishop of the ELCA, told the
board, "Right now the life of the church worldwide is stimulating
and exciting. We Lutherans are trying to see ourselves as a
global communion, not just an American denomination."
Anderson emphasized Lutheran identity and said it includes
"the biblical story we have to tell to the nations, the meaning
of the life and work of Jesus Christ." Lutherans have a tendency
"to circle the wagons," he added. "We should find in our
Lutheran tradition the elements that propel us outward to other
Christians worldwide and in the United States."
Anderson appealed to the group "as a very significant board
of the church: Do your part as stakeholders in the work of the
whole church."
For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service, (312)
380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia Christiansen,
Asst. Dir., (312) 380-2956
