Report of the Presiding Bishop

News Releases
ELCA Assembly Adopts Arab And Middle Eastern Ministry Strategy
ELCA Assembly Adopts African Descent Ministry Strategy

Ninety-seven percent of ELCA members are of European descent. Yet our context is richly diverse. Two ethnic ministry strategies come before the Churchwide Assembly later this week. Both of them attempt to address this discrepancy.

Today, the assembly will hold informational hearings on the two Ethnic Ministry Strategies. The proposed Arab and Middle Eastern Ministry Strategy, “Bridges Across History, Lands and Cultures," and the proposed African Descent ministry strategy, "Many Voices Tell the Story, Create the Vision: Build the Future," hope “to intensify outreach and recommit the ELCA to partnership with existing Arab and Middle Eastern and African Descent congregations.” (Read more)

Renewing Worship Also presented today is Renewing Worship, the five-year/five-phase process established to determine the "next generation" of worship resources for the ELCA. Renewing Worship is a response to emerging changes in the life of the church and the world. The goal is to renew the church's worship as Christ's mission is carried out in a new day. More about Renewing Worship

The ELCA already has Asian and Pacific Islander, Latino, and American Indian and Alaska Native ministry strategies.

Other highlights for Tuesday include the reports of the Presiding Bishop and Vice President, and the presentation of Renewing Worship (see sidebar).

More on this
ELCA Assembly Adopts Arab And Middle Eastern Ministry Strategy

ELCA Assembly Adopts African Descent Ministry Strategy

Tuesday's Worship
Presiding Minister - Pr. Philip L. Wangberg
Preacher - Pr. Melinda A Quivik
Listen to the sermon

Sermon Text 

Tuesday's Video Clips
Plenary Clip
Report of the Vice President and Church Council

Plenary Clip
Bible Study: “Marked with Christ’s Cross”

Plenary Clip
Report of the 2006-2007 Budget, First Presentation

Video News Release
Plenary Opens

Plenary Clip
Report from Presiding Bishop

Video News Release
Voting Members Attend Hearings on 11 Different Topics

Tuesday's Audio News Releases
Lutherans confront a number of issues in assembly -- not all are on the agenda.
MP3 | RealPlayer Stream

There are other questions before Lutherans in assembly other than those about homosexuality and the church.
MP3 | RealPlayer Stream

Questions before Lutherans in the United States about homosexuality and the church concern Lutherans around the world.
MP3 | RealPlayer Stream

Tuesday's Bible Study
Prof. Mark Allan Powell
“Marked with Christ’s Cross”

Bible Study Text 

ELCA Assembly Hears Bible Study From Trinity Professor

Tuesday's News Releases
ELCA Assembly Receives 'Renewing Worship' Report, Recommendations

ELCA Assembly Hears Bible Study From Trinity Professor

ELCA Assembly Hears Presiding Bishop's Report

ELCA Assembly Adopts Rules Of Procedure

Bishop of ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod Welcomes Assembly

Tuesday's Photos