ELCA Asked to Recommit to Multicultural Plan

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The new Multicultural Mission Strategy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America calls for all members of the church "to make a renewed affirmation of and commitment to" a 10-percent membership goal of persons of color and/or primary language other than English.
     The ELCA still falls short of its goal to be a multicultural church, according to the Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan, executive director of the ELCA's Commission for Multicultural Ministries. Rajan spoke to members of the commission's steering committee when it met here Feb. 21-22.
     The strategy calls for the ELCA to support and encourage the ministry of  congregations with predominantly African American, American Indian and Native Alaskan, Arab and Middle Eastern, Asian and Hispanic members.
     In 1987 the ELCA adopted a goal that within 10 years of its establishment the membership of the church would include at least 10 percent people of color and/or primary language other than English.  In 1991 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted the Multicultural Mission Strategy to renew the church's commitment to the 10-percent membership goal, says the strategy.
     "The 10-year deadline for this churchwide goal has arrived," states the "Recommitment to a Strategy for Proclamation of the Gospel" -- the ELCA's amended Multicultural Mission Strategy. The present 2.13 percent membership of people of color and/or primary language other than English "falls dramatically short" of the original goal.
     The steering committee took action to "endorse with affirmation" the amended Multicultural Mission Strategy and voted to present the strategy to the ELCA Church Council for action at the 1997 Churchwide Assembly this summer.  The Church Council will meet here April 3-7.
     "Multiculturalism has to be the foundation of our collective struggle for full partnership of people of color in the ELCA, or cultural and racial superiority and ethnic separation will result," said Rajan.
     "It has been a difficult 10-year period for many individuals who labored at the congregational and synodical level to pursue the multicultural visions and actions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America," said the Rev. Peter K. Shen, Trinity Lutheran Church, Pullman, Wash.
     "But, there are many moving stories to tell and so much to be celebrated.  We have made differences in people's attitudes and mutual understanding of the gospel mission," said Shen.
     In another action the committee voted "to affirm and support" the American Indian/Alaska Native Strategy "for the purpose of implementing the strategies listed in this plan."  The plan was developed over five years by a 14-member task force.
     At its November 1996 meeting, the Church Council asked the Commission for Multicultural Ministries to consult with the ELCA's Division for Outreach, Division for Ministry, Department for Synodical Relations and other units to discuss the initiatives described in the plan.  The consultation took place in February.
     The Church Council further requested that the commission, in consultation with these units, bring to the council at its April meeting a report and possible recommendation for action through the council's Program and Structure Committee.
     The plan articulates the relationship with the ELCA envisioned by American Indian/Alaska Native members over the coming five years.  Four specific areas will be the focus for the strategy: congregation development, leadership development, public policy advocacy and social ministry.   Goals and strategies in each area range from community task forces that will guide local congregation development to a resource directory of organizations and individuals involved in legislative advocacy and social change.
     In a related action the steering committee voted to appoint a task force for the purpose of developing a position statement and action plan "to decry" the desecration of traditional American Indian/Alaska Native sacred sites.  The task force will prepare a position statement and action plan and present it to the steering committee at its fall 1997 meeting.
     At its last meeting, the steering committee voted to call upon the ELCA to make public its disapproval of the desecration of American Indian/Alaska Native sacred sites.
     "We must keep our eyes on the issues that unite us.  We must affirm our differences and challenge one another to work through misunderstandings, especially about our cultural differences," said Rajan.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html