April 1, 2010

CHICAGO – Starting new congregations is a top priority for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). For 2010 the denomination has affirmed 41 "new starts" across the United States.

"These new starts represent what America is becoming, as 23 (of the 41 new starts) are among immigrant populations," said the Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, executive director, ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission (EOCM).

Bouman said the 41 new starts are a sign of "hope for our beloved church" in the Easter season. "In the Resurrection of Jesus, all things are possible," he said.

Although it's no secret that some serious disagreements continue "to mark our life together in the church" and "if the U.S. economy continues to struggle, God's call to mission is being blessed by the Spirit in the midst of it all," said Bouman.

Of the 41 new starts 12 are "worshiping communities" authorized by the ELCA's 65 synods. These are communities with ministry potential, according to the Rev. Mary C. Frances, assistant director for new evangelizing congregations, EOCM.

Some members of Central Lutheran Church, Elk River, Minn., are voting to leave the ELCA in response to decisions made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this past summer. But nearly 200 members of Central wish to remain in the ELCA and are seeking to become a "synodically authorized worshiping community."

The same is true for about 100 members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Galena, Ill.

A synodically authorized worshiping community serves as an "advantageous entry point" for new starts, according to the Rev. Gemechis D. Buba, director for African National ministries, EOCM. He said this point of entry allows new ministries "room to grow."

Lay African immigrants initiated six of the 41 new starts. These leaders are seeking to become clergy, but "we are not waiting until they become ordained," said Buba.

A goal of the ELCA is to support as many new starts as possible, spread resources far and wide, and reach ethnic-specific and multicultural congregations under development or as synodically authorized worshiping communities. Of the 41 new starts, 29 are congregations under development.

According to Frances, there is no set model for developing a worshiping community. "It is whatever one can envision. Anything is possible," she said. "Synod mission strategy tables" take initiative in starting new ministries where there is need. From the synods, directors for evangelical mission further develop local ministry concepts and deliver them to EOCM.

Frances said one of the new start profiles comes from an ELCA member who is a gymnast interested in beginning ministry among gymnasts and their families.

"We want to encourage innovation rather than stifle something that's not readily apparent," said Frances. "If we are willing to engage the community seriously, than we have to be willing to do things differently."

A review table comprised of EOCM staff, bishops, directors for evangelical mission, ELCA Mission Investment Fund staff and others gather to review new start profiles primarily twice a year – March and July. They consider a new start's potential, vision, plan, leadership, resources and more.

Directors for evangelical mission who submit profiles "come to us for affirmation rather than permission. The work is started in the field, they share and we affirm it in principle often with some financial support," said Frances.

"Each one of these 41 new starts represents renewed relationships at the ground level of this church, renewed confidence in God's guidance and abundance, and renewed resolve that the ELCA, in good times and bad, will be a church in mission," said Bouman. "God's call for the church to be in mission is a deep and abiding call, and it is always a top priority for Christ's Body in the world."

Information about the ELCA's Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission is at http://www.ELCA.org/eocm/, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service