On Oct. 28, ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod leaders discussed joint ministries, dialogue between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, and updates on their work.

Since the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation met at the Lutheran Center at Christ Church, Baltimore, a significant portion of its time was given to discussion with leaders of pan-Lutheran agencies based there:

* Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a partnership of the ELCA, LCMS and Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church. A strong "biblical and reformation heritage" motivates Lutherans to be engaged in social service, such as resettlement of refugees and immigration matters, said Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr., LIRS president. The agency's roots were in service to Lutherans displaced during World War II, he said, and work expanded worldwide in the 1950s.

Currently LIRS is concerned with comprehensive immigration reform and the impact of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on refugees and migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., Deffenbaugh said. More than half of the refugees LIRS resettles are Muslim, he added.

* Lutheran Services in America, an umbrella organization of social service agencies. Its president, Jill A. Schumann, said about one in 50 U.S. citizens is served by LSA-related agencies, which are "grass-roots expressions of faith." Among other activities, LSA helps facilitate the response of social ministry organizations to the needs of people displaced by the Gulf Coast hurricanes.

* Lutheran World Relief, an overseas relief and development agency. LWR provides a "place of interaction between the church and public sphere," said its president, Kathryn F. Wolford. In 2005, LWR helped with relief after the December 2004 tsunami in Southest Asia, addressed humanitarian concerns in African nations such as Niger and Sudan, and provided care after an earthquake struck Asia on Oct. 8, most notably in Pakistan.

Calling the conversation "most intriguing," LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick noted that the denomination's members don't normally talk about joint service and advocacy. "I am absolutely convinced that Lutheran theology has the potential to impact the world in a huge way," he said. "I also grieve that internal struggles of our church bodies weaken us."

Kieschnick said he rejoices because Lutherans can seize opportunities to do meaningful work in the world together. He yearns for greater involvement in hands-on ministry from people in the pews, he added.

The Lutheran agencies are key to helping the U.S. understand what kind of nation it will be in serving others in the world, said Mark S. Hanson, ELC A presiding bishop. "We cannot let internal issues divide us when it comes to providing food and housing," he added. "Only in our collective capacity can we take on the massive responsibility of ending hunger in the world."

Regarding the 11th round of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue in the U.S., Samuel H. Nafzger, executive director, LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, thanked the ELCA for working to include two LCMS participants.

Denominational updates

During the meeting, participants shared updates of their work.

* The LCMS placed 180 seminarians in congregations and ministries this year, Kieschnick said. But enrollments at seminaries in Fort Wayne, Ind., and St. Louis are down, he added.

* The LCMS is trying to raise $ 100 million for "Fan Into Flame," a fundraising campaign aimed at supplementing local, national and international ministries. Kieschnick said it also has raised about $120 million toward a $400 million-goal for the Concordia higher education system.

* Carlos Pena, ELCA vice president, highlighted decisions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, FIa., including implementation of a Middle East strategy, adoption of plans for new worship resources, approval of two ethnic-specific ministry strategies, and decisions on matters related to homosexuality.

* The task force for the ELCA sexuality proposals will have new members and leadership as it moves into the next phase of its work, drafting a possible social statement on sexuality to be considered at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, Hanson said.

* Both churches reported generous giving from members in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita-more than $10 million for the LCMS response and more than $14 million for the ELCA. Each church's financial status is good, reported both Ronald Schultz, administrative officer, LCMS board of directors, and Charles S. Miller, ELC A executive for administration and executive assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop.

The committee next meets April 7 in Chicago.

ELCA News Service

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