Title: ELCA Men of Faith: Together in Spirit ELCA NEWS SERVICE July 25, 1996 MEN OF FAITH: TOGETHER IN SPIRIT (72 lines) 96-18-054-LC MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- About 325 men gathered here July 19- 21 at Augsburg College for the 1996 Lutheran Men's Gathering, "Men of Faith: Together in Spirit." The gathering explored the faith and character of men's lives in changing times through speakers, worship and workshops. "Our church is ready for new ideas, new initiatives," said the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in greetings to the gathering. Anderson said he sees many signs of hope as he travels throughout the church. One of those signs of hope, he said, is that men are recovering their role in the ongoing march of faith. God has called us to be molders, motivators, and mentors, said the Rev. Walt Kallestad, Community Church of Joy, Glendale, Ariz. "God wants us to be the person, the riverbed, the conduit that the riches of God's kingdom can be powered through." The Rev. Jerome Dorsey issued a challenge to the men. "I dare you to be dangerous as we build together as men of faith." Be intimidating to evil in all its manifestations, said Dorsey, assistant to the bishop in the ELCA's Rocky Mountain Synod. "This assembly was dynamic," said Brian Smith, Shoemakersville, Pa. "I enjoyed the fellowship with persons from all over the country. I couldn't believe how much we all have in common. "After a Promise Keepers gathering, this is it. Promise Keepers is a good one-day event, a quick fix. This LMM event helps more with giving me something I can use every single day of my life," said Smith. Doug Neill, Lincoln, Neb., who is involved in two men's groups outside Lutheran circles, said, "The thoughtful messages from the speeches here has been geared to reaching out to the lost worlds. "The speakers told us, 'Don't be ashamed to say that you believe." In the past Lutheran tradition has been inward. We're now asking men to get involved in spreading the Good News. I pray that the power of the Spirit will help us do this." Other featured speakers and leaders included the Rev. Richard Jensen, director of cluster planning for three ELCA seminaries, and Tom Eggum, minister for outreach, Community Church of Joy. Workshop topics included prayer life, reconciliation, Promise Keepers, clown ministry, relationships with women, and the sexual exploitation of youth. Featured music leaders for the men's gathering included "Dakota Road" from Sioux Falls, S.D. and "The Moos Band" from Moorhead, Minn. As part of the gathering, about 150 delegates attended the fourth biennial assembly of Lutheran Men in Mission, the men's organization of the ELCA, on July 19. The assembly elected its board, acted on resolutions and adopted a budget. Charles R. Schwartz, Fredericksburg, Tex., was elected president. Schwartz previously was the LMM secretary. Steve Crane, Ilion, N.Y., was re-elected vice president; Samuel Richardson, Chicago, secretary and Ken Getzin, Rancho Palas Verde, Calif., treasurer. Delegates from each of the nine regions of the ELCA elected members to the LMM board: Gene Johnson, McMinnville, Ore.; Don Helgren, Temple City, Calif.; Allen Anderson, Paynesville, Minn.; Alton Luedke, Sinton, Texas; Rollie Fredrickson, Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Bernie Bresson, Louisville, Ohio; Steve Dunning, Boyertown, Pa.; Art Johnson, Kane, Pa.; and Clarence Pugh, Newton, N.C. The organization adopted a 1997 budget of $150,620. Resolutions were passed supporting a comprehensive ban of land mines and to pray for and support those African American churches intentionally burned in the South. Lutheran Men in Mission has about 5,000 members in more than 3,000 congregations all 65 synods of the ELCA. There are 41 synod LMM organizations. 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