Title: ELCA Asked to Recommit to Multicultural Plan
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 7, 1997
ELCA ASKED TO RECOMMIT TO MULTICULTURAL PLAN
97-08-021-MR
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The new Multicultural Mission Strategy of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America calls for all members
of the church "to make a renewed affirmation of and commitment
to" a 10-percent membership goal of persons of color and/or
primary language other than English.
The ELCA still falls short of its goal to be a multicultural
church, according to the Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan, executive
director of the ELCA's Commission for Multicultural Ministries.
Rajan spoke to members of the commission's steering committee
when it met here Feb. 21-22.
The strategy calls for the ELCA to support and encourage the
ministry of congregations with predominantly African American,
American Indian and Native Alaskan, Arab and Middle Eastern,
Asian and Hispanic members.
In 1987 the ELCA adopted a goal that within 10 years of its
establishment the membership of the church would include at least
10 percent people of color and/or primary language other than
English. In 1991 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted the
Multicultural Mission Strategy to renew the church's commitment
to the 10-percent membership goal, says the strategy.
"The 10-year deadline for this churchwide goal has arrived,"
states the "Recommitment to a Strategy for Proclamation of the
Gospel" -- the ELCA's amended Multicultural Mission Strategy.
The present 2.13 percent membership of people of color and/or
primary language other than English "falls dramatically short" of
the original goal.
The steering committee took action to "endorse with
affirmation" the amended Multicultural Mission Strategy and voted
to present the strategy to the ELCA Church Council for action at
the 1997 Churchwide Assembly this summer. The Church Council
will meet here April 3-7.
"Multiculturalism has to be the foundation of our collective
struggle for full partnership of people of color in the ELCA, or
cultural and racial superiority and ethnic separation will
result," said Rajan.
"It has been a difficult 10-year period for many individuals
who labored at the congregational and synodical level to pursue
the multicultural visions and actions of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America," said the Rev. Peter K. Shen, Trinity Lutheran
Church, Pullman, Wash.
"But, there are many moving stories to tell and so much to
be celebrated. We have made differences in people's attitudes
and mutual understanding of the gospel mission," said Shen.
In another action the committee voted "to affirm and
support" the American Indian/Alaska Native Strategy "for the
purpose of implementing the strategies listed in this plan." The
plan was developed over five years by a 14-member task force.
At its November 1996 meeting, the Church Council asked the
Commission for Multicultural Ministries to consult with the
ELCA's Division for Outreach, Division for Ministry, Department
for Synodical Relations and other units to discuss the
initiatives described in the plan. The consultation took place
in February.
The Church Council further requested that the commission, in
consultation with these units, bring to the council at its April
meeting a report and possible recommendation for action through
the council's Program and Structure Committee.
The plan articulates the relationship with the ELCA
envisioned by American Indian/Alaska Native members over the
coming five years. Four specific areas will be the focus for the
strategy: congregation development, leadership development,
public policy advocacy and social ministry. Goals and
strategies in each area range from community task forces that
will guide local congregation development to a resource directory
of organizations and individuals involved in legislative advocacy
and social change.
In a related action the steering committee voted to appoint
a task force for the purpose of developing a position statement
and action plan "to decry" the desecration of traditional
American Indian/Alaska Native sacred sites. The task force will
prepare a position statement and action plan and present it to
the steering committee at its fall 1997 meeting.
At its last meeting, the steering committee voted to call
upon the ELCA to make public its disapproval of the desecration
of American Indian/Alaska Native sacred sites.
"We must keep our eyes on the issues that unite us. We must
affirm our differences and challenge one another to work through
misunderstandings, especially about our cultural differences,"
said Rajan.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
