[from Lutheran CORE] "Since the ELCA's beginning in 1988 the total baptized membership of the ELCA had declined 11.8% by the end of 2008, down from 5.25 million to 4.63 million. The population of the United States grew by more than 20% in that period. The number of ELCA congregations had dropped by 6.5% by the end of 2008. New ELCA mission starts have declined by 50% and the ELCA Church Council received a report in November 2008 that new ELCA missions have not thrived, especially those connected with ethnic strategies.
"Missionaries supported financially by the ELCA in the global mission field have declined by 62%, down from 471 in 1988 to 180 in 2008. ELCA global mission has always used an accompaniment model, meaning that it intentionally shifted from sending evangelists to sending people who support already established churches. As a result, in 2009 the ELCA supports financially only 11 missionaries who have evangelism in their job description. The other ELCA missionaries do much needed ministry in areas of teaching, healthcare, development and administration, and no doubt they witness to Jesus. However, there are still millions of people in the world who have never heard of Jesus and his Gospel. Evangelists are needed to tell them the good news."
Interesting.
There is an ad in the Religion section of our paper today (Northcentral PA.) that says: Lutherans...We Need To Talk!
It is an invitation to Lutherans interested in forming a traditional Lutheran congregation in the area (which is now dominated by the heretical ELCA).
It is signed: North American Lutheran Church
Bishop Paul Spring, Pastor Mark Chavez.
I wonder how widespread this effort is?