“the evangelical lutheran church in america is an ecology of interdependent ecosystems.” - craig...
TRANSCRIPT
“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is an ecology of interdependent ecosystems.”
- Craig Dykstra Senior Vice President, Religion Lilly Endowment
Living Into the Future Together (LIFT) is a task force which is focusing on the renewal of the ELCA ecology.
• Internal and external factors impacting congregations
• Lutheran identity• Relationships across this church• Expectations of various partners in
the ELCA ecology
The conversation focuses on -
• What is God calling this church to be and do in the future?
• What changes are in order to help us respond most faithfully?
LIFT’s Big Questions
• Engaging in 2010 synod assembly discussions and forums
• Completing questionnaires• Participating in surveys, focus groups
and interviews• Submitting hundreds of scenarios and
suggestions for task force consideration
• Joining the blog conversation at www.liftelca.org
People have responded by -
•Theology and teaching is important to ELCA members•The ELCA lacks clear identity; Lutherans are not distinctive•Member connections with ELCA Lutheranism (the wider church) are important
What LIFT has learned so far:
• about a theology of justification by grace through faith
• focused on sharing the good news of the Gospel with the unchurched
• providing a strong system of theological education for pastors
• feeding the hungry and advocating for the poor
We also heard people indicate that the ELCA should be-
Factors Impacting Congregations (Combined Lay Leader and Clergy Reports)
68%
66%
64%
57%
18%
8%
29%
45%
35%
8%
20%
24%
26%
30%
33%
38%
39%
44%
58%
74%
12%
10%
10%
13%
49%
54%
32%
10%
8%
17%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
economic changes in the localcommunity
changes in the culture ofAmerican society
changes in the religious climateof American society
Churchwide Assembly action onthe sexuality statement
changes in the quality ofpastoral leadership
commitment to evangelism oroutreach
changes in patterns ofparticipation among lay leaders
conflict in the congregation
competition from other localcongregations
ethnic changes in the localcommunity
negative impact no impact positive impact
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Reasons for Attending an ELCA Congregations for Lay Leaders
9%
12%
16%
23%
30%
33%
41%
55%
20%
33%
47%
30%
29%
50%
51%
41%
71%
55%
37%
47%
41%
17%
8%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
my closest friends attend my congregation
an ELCA congregation was most convenient
my appreciation of the relationship an ELCA congregationhas with the wider church
my spouse is/was a Lutheran
my parents are/were Lutheran
my agreement with the theology and teachings of the ELCA
my appreciation of Lutheran forms of worship
my appreciation of the people who attend my congregation
very important important not important
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
“Is There Anything Unique About ELCA Lutherans that Distinguishes Them from Other Christians?”
no, 31%
no, 10%
yes, 32%
yes, 83%
unsure, 37%
unsure, 7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
lay
clergy
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Connections with the Church for Lay Leaders
12%
12%
16%
26%
31%
33%
49%
49%
52%
36%
44%
53%
59%
38%
50%
40%
46%
36%
42%
36%
26%
10%
23%
11%
10%
10%
10%
8%
8%
5%
5%
5%
6%
1%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
My congregation is stronger because it is part of a widerchurch.
My congregation has strong ties to the wider church.
My congregation has strong ties to the synod.
The world needs the message that ELCA Lutherans bring.
It is important for me to be a member of an ELCAcongregation.
I'm proud to be part of the ELCA.
It is important for me to be a member of a Lutheran church.
My congregation has helped me grow as a Christian.
I would feel great sense of loss if I changed to anothercongregation.
strongly agree agree disagree strongly disagree
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Connections with the Church Comparing Lay Leaders and Clergy (percent who indicated “strongly agree”)
36%
41%
13%
20%
25%
48%
64%
48%
57%
52%
49%
12%
16%
12%
33%
49%
26%
31%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
I would feel great sense of loss if I changed to anothercongregation.
My congregation has helped me grow as a Christian.
My congregation has strong ties to the wider church.
My congregation has strong ties to the synod.
My congregation is stronger because it is part of a widerchurch.
I'm proud to be part of the ELCA.
It is important for me to be a member of a Lutheran church.
The world needs the message that ELCA Lutherans bring.
It is important for me to be a member of an ELCAcongregation. lay
clergy
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Top Five Factors Contributing to a Sense of Connectednessfor Lay Leaders
4%
7%
5%
4%
3%
14%
9%
11%
6%
5%
29%
26%
27%
24%
25%
33%
36%
35%
39%
38%
20%
22%
22%
27%
29%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
participation with other ELCALutherans in
synod/churchwide ministries
a shared ELCA theology
participation with other ELCALutherans in shared local
ministry
having pastors trained inELCA seminaries
common forms of worshipand music
1 - not at all 2 3 4 5 -quite a bit
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
“How Connected Do You Feel to the Wider Church?”
6%
7%
14%
12%
34%
19%
29%
33%
9%
29%
8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
lay leaders
clergy
not sure 1 - not connected at all 2 3 4 5 - very strongly connected
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Expectations of ELCA Lutheranism for Lay Leaders
38%
41%
50%
53%
53%
64%
52%
54%
45%
38%
43%
34%
10%
5%
5%
9%
4%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
strong public advocacy onbehalf of the poor
being a church dedicated tofeeding the hungry
a strong system of theologicaleducation for new pastors
traditional teaching of theBible
being focused on sharing thegood news of the Gospel with
the unchurched
the theology of justification bygrace through faith
very important important not important
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Expectations of ELCA Lutheranism Comparing Lay Leaders and Clergy (percent who indicated “very important”)
53%
38%
50%
53%
41%
64%
46%
57%
71%
74%
63%
92%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
traditional teaching of theBible
strong public advocacy onbehalf of the poor
a strong system oftheological education for new
pastors
being focused on sharing thegood news of the Gospel with
the unchurched
being a church dedicated tofeeding the hungry
the theology of justificationby grace through faith
clergy
lay leaders
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Relative Impact of Factors on Connectedness to the Wider Church for Clergy (Beta Values)
a shared stand on social issues
a relationship or experience with the synod or churchwide
bishop
a shared theology
financial support received from the wider
church
attending a synod or a churchwide assembly
reading The Lutheran or other ELCA publication
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Relative Impact of Factors on Connectedness to the Wider Church for Lay Leaders (Beta Values)
a shared stand on social issues
a shared theology
common forms of worship and music
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Different Expectations Between Lay Leaders Who Are and Are Not Connected to the Wider Church (percent indicating item was “very important”)
51%
63%
79%
63%
53%
52%
55%
55%
67%
45%
55%
38%
25%
21%
21%
21%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
traditional teaching of theBible
sharing the good news of theGospel with the unchurched
a theology of justification bygrace through faith
a strong system of theologicaleducation for pastors
significant involvement of laityin ministry
liturgical worship
being a church dedicated tofeeding the hungry
strong public advocacy onbehalf of the poor
connected not connected
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Different Expectations Between Clergy Who Are and Are Not Connected to the Wider Church (percent indicating item was “very important”)
43%
48%
76%
92%
74%
78%
55%
70%
57%
68%
75%
66%
77%
91%
59%
60%
32%
46%
25%
27%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
traditional teaching of the Bible
the Lutheran Confessions
strong system of thelogical education for new pastors
theology of justification by grace through faith
significant involvement of laity in ministry
sharing the good news of the Gospel with the unchurched
reaching out to other ethnic/racial groups
being a church dedicated to feeding the hungry
strong national coordination and involvement in globalmission
strong public advocacy on behalf of the poor
connected not connected
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
Priorities for the Expressions of the ChurchFor Congregations● Ensure worship
provides a meaningful experience of God
● Ensure children and youth receive Christian education
● Ensure adults continue to grow in knowledge and faith
● Share the good news of the Gospel with the unchurched
For Synods● Assist
congregations in finding a new pastor
● Assist congregations in times of conflict
● Start new congregations
● Provide for the education of new pastors
For Churchwide● Plan for and
conduct the global mission of the church
● Provide for the education of new pastors
● Be responsible for the ecumenical relationships of the church
● Advocate with government agencies on behalf of the poor
● Provide charity and service to people in need
Source: LIFT/Ecology Task Force Clergy and Lay Leader Questionnaire, 2010.Prepared by Research and Evaluation, ELCA, 2010.
• Network / Collaboration
• Lutheran understanding of vocation
• Assist in developing lay mission schools
• Leaders explore new models of governance and relationship w/ Churchwide, Synods, & Congregations
• Congregations & Synods share Lutheran youth prospects w/ colleges
Colleges
• Emphasize theological education AND leadership development
• Synods/Churchwide are ready to support seminaries• What Does the ELCA Need from its Seminaries?
(document)• Catalyst (w/ synods) in opening congregational
imaginations• Incorporate what’s being done in lay mission schools
Seminaries
Watch for more information through
• Spotlights on the ELCA home page at www.elca.org• Downloadable bulletin inserts at www.elca.org/lift• The blog page and links to FaceBook and Twitter
conversations at www.liftelca.org• News releases• Articles in your synod’s newsletters, The
Lutheran, Seeds for the Parish and other publications
• E-blasts to congregation and synod leaders• Draft report and recommendations at your synod
assembly