Editor
Make sense of your dollars
and cents.
Attend a free fi nancial education workshop. Learn more at
Thrivent.com/ fi ndaworkshop.
See our full-page ad in this issue.
By Daniel J. Lehmann
Reports show reality check
‘Putting everything on the table’ I
n the quest for signs that the ELCA is preparing for the future by recognizing its present, look no further than the October meeting of the Confer- ence of Bishops.
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the Epis-
copal Church kicked off the gathering with an invitation that her denomination and the ELCA find more ways to work together. She cited theological edu- cation, chaplaincy, and campus and congregational ministry, particularly in smaller communities where multiple congregations are less viable. That type of conversation is taking place among the ELCA’s seminary presi-
For important disclosure information, please visit
Thrivent.com/disclosures.
Appleton, Wisconsin • Minneapolis, Minnesota
Thrivent.com
800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) 26208TLB N2-11 201003488 4 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
dents. They told the bishops of their discussions that are “putting everything on the table” to address funding and educational issues. Just as Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C., and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., are in the midst of merger, the other semi- naries are exploring options. Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa; the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, are looking at several possibilities, from one seminary with three locations to sharing faculty and mergers. LSTC also is in talks with Val- paraiso [Ind.] University about joint educational opportunities, while Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif., is in conversation with Cali- fornia Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, and Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash. The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Dia- kon Lutheran Social Ministries are discussing a management services organi- zation, while Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg are teaming for distance learning and a journalism edu- cational venture that includes Odyssey Networks. The bishops also got a look at more trends in statistical reports by ELCA Secretary David D. Swartling. He reported the percentage of ELCA congrega- tions receiving bequests dropped from 21.1 percent in 2000 to 16.7 percent in 2010. Most striking were the deficit numbers rung up by congregations. Total congregational income minus total expenses varied from 2000 to 2007, but always with an aggregate surplus, Swartling said. In 2007, the surplus totaled $90.6 million. But with the start of the Great Recession, that slipped into the red by $22.7 million in 2008, $55.5 million in 2009 and $35.1 million in 2010. Craig Settlage, ELCA director for mission support, further cited a trend among members and congregations—reflective of a societal change in gen- eral: favoring designated giving. Donations sent directly to causes and cam- paigns result in less money moving on as mission support to synods and the churchwide organization. Several bishops offered their stories, agreeing in varying degrees that a decline in undesignated giv- ing represents one of the top challenges facing the entire ELCA. M
Most striking were the deficit numbers rung up by ELCA congregations.
MICHAEL D. WATSON
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76