Part one of three THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELCA:
What you need to know By Jill Dierberg Clark
Celebrating 25 years as a church body and
bringing together members, congregations, synods and partners in ministry, the ELCA’s five- year, $198 million “Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA” aims to glorify God by advancing the important work and strengths of the entire denomination. Reflecting on the past yet positioning itself for the future, the church believes now is the time to come together under a common purpose—a belief described in the focus “Together we can do more.” Approved by the 2013 Churchwide Assembly
(the ELCA’s governing body), the fundraising effort was launched in early 2014. As of Sept. 30, the campaign had received more than $96 million in
cash and multiyear commitments, representing 48 percent of its goal. Robert and Rebecca Shaw, longtime members
of Faith Lutheran Church in Clive, Iowa, and part of the campaign steering committee, say there is something for everyone to support in this campaign, referring to the various ministries and projects the ELCA has committed to sustaining, growing or deepening through this fundraising effort. The campaign “offers myriad programs
throughout the world deserving of our support, and it enables us to extend our focus from our home church to the church throughout the world,” Robert Shaw said.
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES Composed of 10 different priorities, each signifying an important part of the life and work of the
ELCA, the campaign is paving the way for the church’s future. Each of the 10 priorities fit into four larger umbrellas—congregations, leadership, the global church, and hunger and poverty—and fund very specific work.
CONGREGATIONS
Renewing Congregations— fund grants to struggling congregations to create initiatives that support sustainable growth and transformation.
ELCA New Congregations—support startup costs for new congregations in growing and diverse areas in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
Disability Ministries— equip members and congregations with the funding to start or grow programming for children, youth and adults with disabilities.
LEADERSHIP
ELCA Fund for Leaders—grow a permanent endowment fund to support hundreds of leaders who are called to serve as rostered ministers or in ELCA institutions.
Youth and Young Adults—give grants to ELCA congregations and organizations for projects that expand youth and young adult ministries, specifically those that build leadership and encourage diversity.
22 JANUARY 2017
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