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Bishop Biz
Abstract: What the Bishops heard at their Spring meeting.
If you were wondering what happened (besides the preview of the Draft Social Statement on Sexuality) at the ELCA Conference of Bishops meeting in San Mateo, CA, here' are some highlights as reported by ELCA News:
The Bishops were briefed about the Christian Zionism Movement by the Rev. Robert O. Smith, director, Europe/Middle East Continental Desk, ELCA Global Mission.
ELCA treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton, reported positive financial results for 2007. Operating revenue increased $300,000 to $83.3 million. Expenses were also up $1.2 million to $80.8 million. Mission support funds increased $500,000 to $66.1 million,. Total operating income was up for the fourth consecutive year, and contributions to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal for 2007 were $21.3 million, a new high.
Presiding Bishop. Mark Hanson, expressed the hope that the ELCA would make use of its statements on immigration in public discussions of immigration policies. He also noted that the ELCA's expression of regret for statements about Anabaptists has had a positive effect on relations between the ELCA and the Mennonites.
Kristi S. Bangert, executive director, ELCA Communication Services reported that a new ELCA Web site will be launched April 28. The current ELCA Web site logs about 36,000 individual visits per day and 192,000 page views per day.
Regional conferences are planned to discuss care for military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, said the Rev. Darrell D. Morton, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop for federal chaplaincy ministries.
Beth A. Lewis, president and CEO of the ELCA's publishing ministry Augsburg Fortress reported a $2.5 million profit for 2007. A significant factor is sales of Evangelical Lutheran Worship which has sold about 960,000 copies.
Testing will begin soon for an ELCA Mobility Database Project, said the Rev. Stanley J. Meyer. The online database will be a tool and resource for synods in their call-process work. Forms and a Web site are expected to be approved and functional by November 2008.
