Concerning Sustainable Development

I. INTRODUCTION

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is involved in sustainable development as an expression of participation in the mission of the triune God. Through its engagement in sustainable development, which encompasses basic needs, environmental protection, and socio-economic well-being and justice, this church expresses its obedience to God and shares resources to help liberate people from the bondage of poverty. ELCA Global Mission of the ELCA is involved in international development in two ways: (1) in grants to programs with companion churches and agencies and (2) through ELCA missionaries participating in holistic development and health care.

ELCA Global Mission, as mandated by the ELCA Constitution, assumes the responsibility "for this church's mission in other countries" and is "the channel through which churches in other countries engage in mission to this church and society." This includes recommending policies for mission in other countries. One of the division's major tasks is to "provide service to people throughout the world."

[This division shall]:...a. engage the members and resources of this church...through involvement in evangelism, witness, education, promotion of justice, service, relief, and development;...1) establish relationships and cooperate in mission with Lutheran and other Christian churches, agencies, institutions, mission societies, and movements;...6) participate in development and relief with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran World Federation, and other ecumenical organizations and agencies; administer the allocation of funds to combat hunger outside the U.S.A.;...d. and encourage and enable churches in other countries in mission to this church and society. (ELCA Constitution, 16.11.F91., Revised 1991)

II. THE ELCA Global Mission COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Jesus Christ came to the world in human form so that we "might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10).¹ Jesus calls the Church to stand up for justice, speak the truth, feed the hungry, provide water for the thirsty, promote healthy lifestyles, accompany and heal the sick, promote peace and reconciliation, release prisoners, proclaim freedom from the bondage of sin, and care for the earth and its inhabitants. The mission of the church is to bring people the message of Christ, which permeates and heals our broken world.

The Christian concern for sustainable development is intentional, a deliberate choice, and is based on the mission of the church, an expression of faithfulness to God's mission. It is the moral obligation of the church and Christian organizations to identify and stand with the suffering, the poor, and the oppressed. Throughout history, the church has been called to have a deep concern for the poor and the oppressed. The foundation for the ELCA Global Mission's development policy is stated in Goal II of the Strategic Planning Document:

To participate in the life-giving mission of the triune God and to be in mission shaped by the cross, ELCA Global Mission will be in solidarity with and advocate for people who are oppressed, poor and suffering and share our resources to meet human needs.²

ELCA Global Mission is therefore committed to a holistic mission that includes proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ through word and deed. Meeting human needs requires action appropriate to specific situations. ELCA Global Mission will seek to alleviate suffering, accompany the weak, and advocate for righteousness, justice, and peace in the name of Jesus. ELCA Global Mission is committed to witness to Jesus Christ by working with the global community for justice, peace, and the renewal of all creation.³ This commitment calls for cooperation with companion churches and agencies and active participation by the members of the ELCA. Recognizing both the limitations and the possibilities of what the church can do in transforming the lives of the poor and oppressed in the world, the ELCA Global Mission pledges solidarity with the poor as a sign and evidence of God's reign of justice and love.

The empowerment of people in sustainable development at the grass roots level is crucial to overcoming oppression and exploitation. The church has a responsibility to foster and encourage self-reliance so people can exercise their rights to determine their own future, rights that include sovereignty over natural resources, land, production, and distribution. The gospel proclaims liberation in Jesus Christ, which uproots injustice, self-interest, and exploitation, and brings friendship and love.

The purpose of this document is to articulate a stance that will provide a working definition for sustainable development and to provide guidelines for the ELCA Global Mission's involvement in sustainable development.

III. DEFINING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In this working document, sustainable development is defined as a process that leads to improving the quality of life of people. It ensures their physical, cultural, social, political, spiritual, and economic well-being through a participatory and integrated process of empowerment, self-reliance, regeneration, and the removal of obstacles to this process. It is a process of change that leads to a better life for people and society. The development process is a continuous one. It starts where people are, with their perceptions of their situation and their needs and assets. Sustainable development awakens people to the social, ecological, and economic realities of their lives and to a realization of their capacity to change these realities.

Sustainable development is a process of change whereby the needs and the rights of individuals and communities in any given society are realized without jeopardizing the needs and rights of other communities and future generations.⁴

Development aims at mending people who are broken, restoring those who are marginalized, and transforming exploitive and oppressive systems into a more just society. In this vision of a more just society, exploitation of human beings is overcome. The foundation for peace, social stability, and economic prosperity is based on equitable development both within nations and among people. The kind of sustainable development that is needed must focus on a vision of a more just society that eliminates privileges for the few when they are at the cost of the many.

IV. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ELCA Global Mission'S INVOLVEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ELCA Global Mission intends to listen, learn, and serve with its companions in sustainable development. The division also shares its commitments and witness to the Gospel. Projects and programs must be consistent with the mission of the church. Projects may vary from country to country. ELCA Global Mission will respond to the needs based on available resources. Projects must be within the Christian understanding of love and service. Based on the division's commitments, priorities, criteria, and strategies, the following characteristics can serve as guidelines for designing, supporting, and evaluating development projects and programs:

Holistic approach. The projects and programs shall be holistic in nature, reflecting God's concern for the total person, including all aspects of human existence. The Christian faith affirms that God cares about this world and the fullness of life for all people. The church, in its service with and for others, is a witness to this care. Just as Christ brought good news to the world, the church also carries out this message through witness, service, action, and advocacy.

Stewardship. Christian stewardship involves walking with our companions now and in future generations. This long-term approach requires an assurance of economic viability, ecological accountability, responsible planning and implementation, effective management, appropriate technology, indigenous human and material resources, and clear goals that reflect current needs. Programs and projects shall maintain good stewardship.

Sensitivity to culture. Projects and programs shall be sensitive to local conditions, customs, traditions, and social patterns, and they shall create an educational awareness when customs and traditions become obstacles to the life and dignity of the whole person.

Beneficiaries. The projects and programs shall address primarily the people most in need, those who are at the bottom of the societal scale socially and economically, without regard to race, creed, religion, color, gender, national origin, or political affiliation. The disabled, the homeless, the landless, refugees, and children in poverty need special attention. Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, and blessed the poor. The poor are also called to follow and serve him. The development projects of the church shall focus on enabling people and accompanying people in overcoming poverty and to accompany participants achieve full human potential, projects should enable people to take the initiative in solving problems related to the family, society, and nation. Project activities shall focus on accompanying communities become healthy, sheltered, nourished, literate, self-reliant, and caring.

Participation. Development projects and programs should begin with an analysis and clear description of existing needs and the proposed solutions. Beneficiaries of the project should be actively involved at every stage of the project. The involvement of local people is necessary throughout the project, during analysis of the situation, planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation.

Involvement of women. A partnership between women and men is vital to the development process. Women are important agents of change. Therefore, women's full participation is required in needs identification, planning, decision making, implementation, and evaluation. The projects shall enable women to discover their potential, enhance their social talents and gifts, assume financial responsibility, and develop their leadership skills. Gender equality at all levels of the development process is essential.

Awareness building. ELCA Global Mission considers the growth of awareness and self-realization to be an essential element in the process of sustainable development. Awareness building is a process that leads toward increased consciousness of a particular situation, its inherent problems, and the need for change. Projects should encourage a reflection process through which individuals and communities as a whole become aware of their rights and responsibilities, and develop their self-confidence and their potential as responsible agents for change.

Contribution to justice. Projects and programs shall contribute to the achievement of justice by challenging the root causes of injustice, which are: preserved privileges and power held by a few; racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination; violation of human rights and community rights; some culture, tradition, and oppressive economic systems. Projects shall address concerns of landless people and advocate for land distribution and proper management of land. Christian witness, education, advocacy, and various forms of training make important contributions toward justice and sustainable development.

Peace and reconciliation. Projects and programs shall promote and advocate for peace, human rights, reconciliation, and transparency in governance. "Unconditional and effective respect for each person's inalienable rights is the necessary condition in order that peace may reign in society." The protection of human rights and the preservation of peace are tasks to be accomplished in a world marked by sin and conflicts. Holistic and sustainable development programs of churches need to incorporate training in human rights issues and participation of civil society at local, community, and national levels.

Self-reliance and capacity strengthening. Projects and programs shall promote self-reliance and management skills. To accomplish this, it is necessary to transfer operational responsibility to the indigenous people or agencies and give priority to the use of indigenous material and appropriate technological resources. Projects shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the local church body or local organization. Long-term commitments of each project with regard to personnel and operating costs should be studied and recommendations made as to who should be responsible for the project when the expatriate leaves. Projects shall include leadership training when such training is for the good of the project. Training and employing local people is essential for the continuity of the work.

Project sustainability and environmental care. Projects and programs shall be technically sound, manageable, sustainable, and ecologically positive. The ultimate success of the projects depends on the appropriateness for the local people. It is imperative to determine, through evaluation, the positive gains made by the projects and their enhancement of the environment.

Ecumenical cooperation. Projects and programs shall reflect global companionship, ecumenical understanding, and cooperation as modeled in the ELCA Global Mission's policy of accompaniment, which is based on relationship building. ELCA Global Mission shall strengthen organizations and efforts that are truly seeking to base their development efforts on and conduct from a Christian and humanitarian point of view. Whenever possible, there should be an established relationship between the local project owners and the Christian congregation.

Selection of personnel. Projects and programs shall reflect expertise and Christian witness through the presence of committed personnel.

Local contribution and ownership. Projects and programs shall encourage the maximum use of local support, such as labor, materials, and funding, and shall promote a sense of ownership by local people or organizations. The role of missionaries or expatriates is to enable local people to take the lead in managing projects and programs.

Project and program review. Sustainable development projects and programs require continued monitoring and evaluation. Program reviews enable participants to build on the strengths of the projects as well as to identify weaknesses. Evaluation of programs and projects shall reflect progress made and lessons learned.

The achievement of ELCA Global Mission's sustainable development guidelines depends on the resources available, along with the cooperation of the ELCA members and their companions. The education of the members of this church in global issues and the commitment of members to take action will increase the impact of the ELCA Global Mission programs. Program effectiveness also depends on the skills, Christian witness, and commitment of personnel.

To implement these guidelines, ELCA Global Mission will call upon the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its members and associates to participate in this struggle.

Adopted by the board of ELCA Global Mission, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, on March 19, 2000.

FOOTNOTES

1. Holy Bible, New International Version, International Bible Society, Colorado (1984).

2. ELCA Global Mission, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Global Mission in the Twenty-first Century (March 1999).

3. ELCA Global Mission, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Commitments for Mission in the 1990s (1990), 3. Adopted by the Board of ELCA Global Mission October 19-21, 1990.

4. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Our Common Future. World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford University Press (1987), 43.

5. John Paul II, "World Day of Peace Message 1982." The pastoral constitution stresses that peace is not only the fruit of justice, but also love, which commits us to engage in "studied practice of sister/brotherhood."

6. See also R. Scott Appleby, The Ambivalence of the Sacred: Religion, Violence and Reconciliation. Rowman and Littlefield, 1999.