Bishops focus on planning and studies

Lutheran, The, May 2002 by Miller, David L

"We are undertaking [a major strategic planning effort] so we may more fully and boldly participate in God's mission in the world," Charles Miller, ELCA executive for administration, told the ELCA Conference of Bishops at its March 7-12 meeting in Vancouver, B.C. "This is an essential enterprise for this church in its adolescence."

Miller described an 18-month timeline during which ELCA synods, boards and committees, colleges, seminaries, social ministry organizations and others will consider the church's mission, vision, values, context and strategic directions for its structure and budget. Those directions will be presented to the August 2003 Churchwide Assembly, with the ELCA Church Council set to implement changes in the churchwide structure and budget that November.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson asked the 2002 synod assemblies to set aside 50 minutes over two days to focus on two questions: What are the three most important factors in society affecting the ELCA's ministry as a whole? And what are the three most essential things the ELCA must do to move effectively into the future?

To read reports on synod findings and the strategic planning process, see www.elca.org/planning.

The conference also discussed:

* Sexuality study. James M. Childs, director of the ELCA sexuality studies, is preparing a study guide for the ELCA's existing message, Sexuality: Some Common Convictions. The guide will be considered May 3-5 by the sexuality task force before being distributed to congregations for discussion this fall. Those discussions will provide feedback for the next steps in the study process.

Congregations also will receive a brief description of the process in 2002. (For a timeline of the study plan see www.thelutheran.org/extra). A Web site will provide resources and allow congregations and synods to share their work on the study (www.elca. org/faithfuljourney). ELCA seminaries are preparing a resource book on issues related to homosexuality in the church, to be released in January 2003.

"There are no preconceived conclusions as to the content of the recommendations," Childs said, referring to the work of the 13-member task force.

"[Whatever is decided] it should well up from what we all know is the heart of our biblical faith and in the service of the calling we share to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

* Partner synod program. The conference established a partner program that pairs ELCA synods, encouraging them to exchange representatives at gatherings and to bring together youth, committees, congregational and other leaders for dialogue. The bishops hope this will enable regions of the church to know each other's history and practices, build trust and respect, and facilitate joint mission.

* Advocacy actions. The conference denounced the Israeli army's occupation of the Dar al-Kalima Lutheran school in Bethlehem. It asked President Bush to take immediate action to seek a cessation of violence in the Middle East (see April, page 53 and page 50 this issue).

The group also decried growing violence in Liberia, commending the efforts of Sumoward Harris, bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, and calling for the U.S government to intensify efforts to bring about peace talks. (The Lutheran's June issue will include an in-depth story on Liberia's current situation.)

The bishops also signed two letters. The first calls on Bush to support the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act, which protects such children from imprisonment and deportation when they have committed no crime and have legal grounds to remain in the country. The other asks Bush to restore funding for refugee assistance and resettlement and to urge the State Department to fulfill the president's commitment to allow 70,000 refugees into the country in 2002 (see April, page 8).

* Treasurer's report. ELCA Treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton reported that revenue to the churchwide organization for fiscal year 2001 was $86.5 million, up $1.6 million (or 1.8 percent) from fiscal year 2000. Expenses for 2001 rose $1.5 million to $83.2 million in 2001. Receipts exceeded the 2001 budget by $1.5 million, while expenses ran $1.9 million below budget.

Contributions from ELCA members to ELCA Disaster Response rose from 2 million in 2000 to 10.8 million in 2001, largely in response to the Sept. 11 disaster. Gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal totaled $15.6 million in 2001, down from $15.9 million in 2000.

By David L. Miller

Miller is editor of The Lutheran.