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03/26/2008
Anatomy of the |
The
Church is a people created by God in Christ, To participate in God's mission, this church shall proclaim God's saving Gospel of justification by grace for Christ's sake through faith alone, according to the apostolic witness in the Holy Scripture, preserving and transmitting the Gospel faithfully to future generations. To participate in God's mission, this church shall nurture its members in the Word of God so as to grow in faith and hope and love, to see daily life as the primary setting for the exercise of their Christian calling, and to use the gifts of the Spirit for their life together and for their calling in the world. To support its members and congregations, the ELCA structure provides leadership through a churchwide office and 64 geographical (and one non-geographical) synods located in nine regions. Each synod is headed by a bishop. The work of the churchwide office is shared by six divisions, two commissions and four offices: *All italicized quotes are from the ELCA Constitutions and Bylaws. |
Congregational
Ministries To fulfill these purposes, this church shall encourage and equip all members to worship, learn, serve and witness; to fulfill their calling to serve God in the world; and to be stewards of the earth, their lives and the Gospel. Areas of resource and service for this division include: worship, Christian education, evangelism, stewardship, congregational social ministry, congregational planning, men's and youth ministries, outdoor ministries, member referral and lay leadership. In cooperation with the ELCA Publishing House, the division produces programs and resources for catechetical studies, camping and youth programs, resources in languages other than English, Sunday school curriculum and other areas related to congregational life. It directs the financial support program to undergird this church's whole ministry. Lutheran Laity Movement for Stewardship -- A lay fellowship of committed people who nurture and guide others to become more effective stewardship leaders. Lutheran Men in Mission -- Provides opportunities for service, growth and ministry for male members of the ELCA. Members meet in assembly in even-numbered years. Lutheran Youth Organization -- Provides programs and activities for young people in ELCA congregations and holds a triennial convention in conjunction with a youth gathering that draws nearly 30,000 participants.
Ministry To fulfill these purposes, this church shall call forth, equip, certify, set apart, supervise, and support an ordained ministry of Word and sacrament and such other forms of ministry that will enable this church to fulfill its mission. The Division for Ministry oversees theological education, and continuing education. Its Ministry in Daily Life program encourages the daily witness of all members of the church in their vocations. The division provides services, programs and grants to help develop the diverse ministries of the ELCA, and recruits and guides candidates for church occupations. The work of chaplains in institutions is supervised and supported through this division.
Outreach To fulfill these purposes, this church shall receive, establish, and support those congregations, ministries, organizations, institutions, and agencies necessary to carry out God's mission through this church. This division works cooperatively with synods to develop new ministries and congregations, support existing ministries and congregations with special needs, establish mission partnerships, develop area strategies, and administer capital funds for land and building programs.
Higher Education
and Schools To fulfill these purposes, this church shall establish and maintain ... schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions to equip people for leadership and service in church and society. This division supports educational activities at the 28 ELCA universities and colleges, campus ministries, preschools, elementary and secondary schools. It provides financial advocacy, policy planning and consultative assistance through these educational endeavors. Lutheran Student Movement -- Addresses the Christian concerns of Lutheran college and university students and holds an annual post-Christmas assembly.
Church in Society To fulfill these purposes, this church shall lift is voice in concord and work in concert with forces for good to serve humanity, cooperating with church and other groups participating in activities that promote justice, relieve misery, and reconcile the estranged. This unit prepares social statements for the church's consideration, coordinates the church's hunger education program and directs domestic disaster response. It works with affiliated social ministry organizations, community groups and U.S. inter-Lutheran agencies such as the Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Its advocacy offices are located in Washington, D.C., the United Nations in New York and in 17 states.
Global Mission To participate in God's mission, this church shall carry out Christ's Great Commission by reaching out to all people to bring them to faith in Christ and by doing all ministry with a global awareness consistent with the understanding of God as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of all. This division coordinates and supports the work of missionaries and volunteers in 53 countries. It is also responsible for international refugee and scholarship programs, and serves as liaison with Lutheran World Federation, a partnership of 114 Lutheran churches around the world. |
COMMISSIONS PROVIDING
SERVICES, ADVICE AND COUNSEL The Commission for Multicultural Ministries exists to support the church, providing advice, counsel and services that work toward the goal of full partnership and participation of African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans in the life of this church and society. It recommends churchwide policies, suggests programs, develops resources and assists in new ministry development. The Commission for Women advocates justice and full participation of women, working to assist all expressions of the church in understanding changes in women's roles in the church and how to provide safe environments for women. It provides consultation, suggests policies and prepares resources. |
OFFICES ASSISTING OFFICERS OF
THE CHURCH The bishop is the chief executive officer of the ELCA and is charged with providing leadership for the life and witness of the church. The bishop's staff oversees the churchwide staff, budget and overall administration of this church. The office includes the following departments: Communication develops overall communication for the church internally and externally, publishes news releases and provides communication links among synods, regions, congregations and the churchwide offices as well as public media ministries. It also staffs the Resource Information Service. Ecumenical Affairs assists the bishop in coordinating inter-Lutheran, ecumenical and interfaith activities and gives guidance to congregations, synods, and churchwide units. It also works with the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. Human Resources oversees personnel, compensation and benefits, training and employee relations for churchwide staff. Management Services coordinates facilities management in the churchwide offices and all leased properties, and manages the ELCAdvantage cooperative purchasing program. Research and Evaluation coordinates research, data gathering, demographic analyses and evaluation for the churchwide units, regions, synods and congregations. It arranges for systematic collections of information about issues, attitudes and resources. Synodical Relations provides support for synod staff and bishops and coordinates the work of military chaplains and the Conference of Bishops. Vice President The vice president of the ELCA is a lay person who serves without salary as chair of the Church Council and, in the event the bishop is unable to do so, as chair of the Churchwide Assembly. There is no "Office of the Vice President;" support for the officer comes from the staff in the Office of the Bishop. The secretary of the ELCA fulfills the normal functions of the secretary of a corporation. The office maintains the records of the church, including current rosters of clergy, associates in ministry and congregations, and is responsible for coordinating for the biennial churchwide assemblies and other churchwide meetings. It publishes minutes of churchwide meetings and an annual statistical report, and oversees publication of the ELCA Yearbook. Department for Archives maintains the history of the ELCA and houses the records of predecessor church bodies as well as those of many inter-Lutheran agencies. It is located in a separate building about a mile from the churchwide offices. Best Travel Service makes travel arrangements for churchwide, regional and synodical meetings. The treasurer of the church fulfills the normal functions of a treasurer of a corporation. This office's staff manages capital funds and financial reporting systems, provides insurance, management of property and internal audits. All churchwide receipts and expenditures flow though this office. Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA offers an investment opportunity to church members, providing certificate holders with competitive interest returns and new and developing congregations with low-interest loans for capital improvements. It is managed in cooperation with the Division for Outreach . Department for Information Technology provides computer support and advice for all expressions of the church, purchasing hardware for churchwide, regional and synodical offices, and overseeing information transmittal via churchwide computer networks. |
OTHER CHURCHWIDE UNITS Church Periodical - The Lutheran A monthly magazine that tells the story of the church, its people and the world of religion through news and feature articles. Operates the pensions, medical and dental benefits for employees of the ELCA. Provides consultation and support to
church members, educational materials and training seminars on planned giving. Publishes and distributes publications to accomplish the mission of the church; in cooperation with the Division for Congregational Ministries, provides curricula and worship resources; publishes church and religious books and provides a variety of church supplies for sale through regional outlets. An organization that supports women's ministries in three mission areas: Growth, Community and Action through local congregational units. Staff coordinate resources for leadership development, Bible studies, community service, development projects and programs. Members meet triennially in convention. |
THE CHURCH COUNCIL Elected by the membership of the ELCA at churchwide assemblies and chaired by the ELCA vice president, who is a volunteer, the Church Council meets twice a year to hear reports, deliberate, set direction and carry on the business of the churchwide organization as the interim legislative authority between assemblies. |
CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS Consisting of the 65 synodical bishops, the bishop and secretary of the church, the Conference of Bishops meets at least twice a year for worship, spiritual renewal and theological enrichment. It provides a first call/appointment process for candidates and support services for rostered leaders. It relates closely with the Division for Ministry and the Department for Ecumenical Affairs, and staff services are provided by the Department for Synodical Relations. |
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