Title: Lutheran Congregations Aspire for Excellence in Ministry ELCA NEWS SERVICE October 1, 1998 LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS ASPIRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MINISTRY 98-35-198-MR CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Eager to energize and enrich parish ministry, more than 1,600 pastors, lay and synod leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will meet Nov. 20-22 in Orlando, Fla., for "Alive in Christ: Equipping Congregations for the 21st century." Organized by the ELCA's Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM), the event will feature worship, seminars, keynote presentations and music to "inspire and uplift congregation leaders through a defined vision of excellence in ministry," said the Rev. Michael R. Rothaar, ELCA director for congregational studies and planning. The division hopes this event will help lay the foundation for the ELCA's 1999-2000 theme, "Hope For A New Century," he said. The Rev. Wyvetta Bullock and the Rev. Mark Moller-Gunderson, DCM executive directors, on behalf of the staff and division's board, will present what the division has found to be the "best practices of ELCA congregations." Rothaar said "the division focuses on learning from ELCA churches that are "striving for excellence and preparing for ministry into the next century," and to help others share their vision. The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, will preach at the opening worship and the Rev. Gladys G. Moore, assistant to the bishop for the ELCA's New Jersey Synod, will lead Bible studies. The Rev. Claire S. Burkat will preach at the closing worship. Burkat is director of mission and resource development for the ELCA's Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Keynote presentations will focus on the social trends and cultural realities that are shaping congregational ministry for the next century, said Rothaar. Diane Crispell will discuss social trends emerging in our culture with special emphasis on spirituality and religion and their impact on the traditional ministry of the church. Crispell, editor-at-large for Roper Starch Worldwide -- a New York-based market research company, has expertise on the topics of racial and ethnic diversity, households and families, and spending patterns. She is a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ithaca, N.Y. The Rev. Michael W. Foss will discuss how the church's ministry can be focused on equipping people to find their faith's importance in family, community and work. Foss is the senior pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville, Minn. "Participants will be able to choose from seven major seminars and more than 60 workshop topics ranging from worship to stewardship and mission support," Rothaar said. The Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, bishop of the ELCA's Metropolitan New York Synod, will lead seminars on social ministry in the congregation. Bouman is founder of the Diakonia Ministry education program which trains lay people for ministry in local congregations. Victor M. Rodriguez will lead a seminar on Latino ministries. He is an associate professor of sociology and member of the social science division at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif. Two composers were commissioned to write liturgical music for the event: Ralph C. Sappington, director of music for American Lutheran Church in Billings, Mont., and Ben Houge, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mercer Island, Wash., a composer and sound designer for Sierra On-Line. David Cherwien, director of music ministries at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis, will be the conference organist. "For the first time the Division for Congregational Ministries has produced a resource for congregations entirely contained on a CD-ROM," said Rothaar. Called "Congregation Alive," the resource is designed for congregations to undergo a "self study," containing tools for moving toward a new vision of congregational ministry, said Rothaar. It will be introduced at the event and made available to congregations in 1999. More than 400 pastors, musicians, seminary professors and worship leaders will gather Nov. 18-20 to attend "The Future of Worship in the ELCA: Exploring the Critical Issues," one of 12 conferences that will precede the Alive in Christ event. The intent of the conference will be to identify the critical issues facing ELCA worship and music resources and develop goals for the next generation of work. Keynote presenters for the worship conference include the Rev. Paul R. Nelson, ELCA director for worship, the Rev. Frank Stoldt, director of education and Worship for Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, the publishing house of the ELCA, and the Rev. Eugene L. Brand, professor of ecumenism at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. "Other noted presenters are church musician Marty Haugen, Eagan, Minn., and preacher and linguist the Rev. Susan R. Briehl, Chelan, Wash.," said Rothaar. For information contact: Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html