“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is an ecology of interdependent ecosystems.” - Craig Dykstra Senior Vice President, Religion Lilly Endowment

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is an ecology of interdependent ecosystems.”

- Craig Dykstra Senior Vice President, Religion Lilly Endowment

ECCLESIAL ECOLOGY

• CONGREGATIONS• JUDICATORIES• INSTITUTIONS• AGENCIES• RELATED PARTNERSHIP

Living Into the Future Together (LIFT) is a task force which is focusing on the renewal of the ELCA ecology.

To inform our work, the task force attempted to initiate a conversation across the ELCA.

• 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 -

http://www.liftelca.org/

•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


“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


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


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


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


“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


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


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%



a strong system oftheological education for new

pastors

being focused on sharing thegood news of the Gospel with

the unchurched


the theology of justificationby grace through faith

clergy

lay leaders


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


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


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%


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



connected not connected


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


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


• 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

http://www.elca.org/



http://www.elca.org/lift




Documents

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is an ecology of interdependent ecosystems.” - Craig Dykstra Senior Vice President, Religion Lilly Endowment