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About the Staff Team
Charter for an interunit staff team on
Faith, Science and TechnologyPurpose
The purpose of the interunit staff team on Faith, Science and
Technology is to support and coordinate relationships between
the churchwide organization and other expressions of the ELCA
and the church's ecumenical partners on matters and activities
regarding faith, science and technology.
Vision
The team envisions an ELCA that:
a) believes the triune God of creation, redemption and
sanctification is the ultimate source and power embracing the
one universe that both religion and science seek to apprehend
and to understand
b) affirms that Christian faith and the endeavors of common
reason are both gifts of God to enable the pursuit of truth
about reality, including the affirmation that it is the triune
God who has created energy, matter, life and humankind through
the processes that science investigates
c) recognizes a cultural situation that is pervasively shaped
-- often unconsciously -- by science and technology and that
this fact impacts the way this church is called to be faithful
in evangelism, congregational life, Christian service and
vocation, education and other pursuits of knowledge and
understanding, and efforts for justice
d) possesses an affirmative perspective on the complex
relationship of faith and science as an alternative to
antagonistic or segregated perspectives, whether religious or
secular
e) welcomes scientists and seeks to honor their vocational
gifts in ministry and mission
f) empowers members to engage issues of scienc e and
technology with prophetic faithfulness and confidence
g) understands how Christian education and formation in the
21st century must enable people to address the complex
relationship of faith and science that are part of this
cultural situationGoals
The team will:
a) coordinate and provide accountability for the integration,
communication and networking efforts within the churchwide
organization and for its work with other expressions of the
church
b) help facilitate efforts within the ELCA to articulate a
Lutheran understanding of the relationship between faith and
science and technology
c) provide for increased awareness of and attention to the
issues of science and technology within the churchwide
organization and its activities, especially policy, issue
analysis and interpretation
d) encourage the development and provision for resources that
are accessible and responsive to the needs of ELCA parishes,
constituencies and other partners in ministry
e) provide support for the ELCA Alliance for Faith, Science
and Technology, which is an Independent Lutheran Organization,
and the team’s liaison to that organizationTeam
Composition/ Leadership
The executive director of the ELCA Division for Church in
Society shall appoint one member of that staff to be responsible
for oversight of the team and its work. The team shall select a
liaison to the ELCA Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology,
in consultation with that person’s unit director.
Each unit director of the ELCA Divisions for Congregational
Ministry, for Higher Education and Schools and for Ministry, and
the Department for Information Technology shall appoint one
member of his or her staff to the team.
All officers and unit directors of the churchwide
organization are invited to appoint members of their staffs to
the team, especially those who have expressed an interest in
matters and activities regarding faith, science and technology.
The team meets twice each month, September through June,
generally noon to 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays, and
at other times deemed necessary. Members of the team volunteer
to take turns assembling an agenda and convening the team.
Conveners serve terms of two or three months (i.e.,
January-February, March-April, May-July, August-October and
November-December).
Responsible
Unit/ Reporting
The staff member, whom the executive director of the ELCA
Division for Church in Society appointed to be responsible for
oversight of the team, reports to her or his supervisor. Each
member of the team is encouraged to report the team's activities
within his or her unit.
The team's relationship with the Alliance's steering
committee is such that each acts in an advisory capacity to the
other. The team may establish working relationships with other
entities involved in matters and activities regarding faith,
science and technology.
Finances
Financial support for the work of the interunit staff team
will be included in the budget of the ELCA Division for Church
in Society with support from other units.
Activities
The team’s activities may include but are not limited to:
- Educational presentations on matters and activities regarding
faith, science and technology for the personal and professional
enrichment of all churchwide staff and other interested
individuals. The presentations are made generally noon to 1:00
p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month September through June.
- Content of pages at
http://www.elca.org/faithandscience on the ELCA Web site.
- Databases of resources addressing the complex relationship of
faith and science.
- Efforts within and for the church that address the complex
relationship of faith and science, as needs become evident and
the resources become available.
- Alliance activities as requested by the Alliance steering
committee and as the team deems possible, especially the
Alliance's involvement in and with the Ecumenical Roundtable on
Faith, Science and Technology.
Appendices
1. Addressing Matters of Faith and Science within the
Reorganization of the Churchwide Structure
2. The “desired outcomes” of Addressing Matters of Faith
and Science within the Reorganization of the Churchwide
Structure
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