1. Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly 2011 Rev. Ruben Duran GOD’S WORK OUR HANDS ELCA REPORT

2. Thank you For the invitation to be with you at this Assembly. For your warm welcome and hospitality Glad to see long-standing friends and to add new ones Let’s hear a greeting from our Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson.

3. Thanks To God for moving through history to make all things new, restoring community and reconciling the world in Christ To you, for your active partnership in the Gospel, serving in this beautiful part of God’s world and sharing in the ministry of the ELCA. You are in North Dakota, Arizona and Haiti. We cannot be there without you.

4. Greetings From your colleagues in the Churchwide Offices of the ELCA. From your colleagues in Congregational and Synodical Mission unit of the ELCA. I serve there as Program Director for New Congregations. I celebrate the calling of your new Director for Evangelical Mission, the Rev. David Anglada.

5. A word of Appreciation For the leadership of Bishop Ed Benoway. He serves in various capacities beyond the synodical role. One is the Conference of Bishops. Recently he helped me and others discern and affirm the 29 new ELCA churches we are opening now. His commitment and evangelical zeal are evident in his service to the Church. Not even the flu can stop him!!

6. A word to the flu bug In God’s name, Flu bug: “Get out of the way of Bishop Benoway”, he will serve and lead this Assembly with joy and boldness, in the power of the Risen Christ. Amen.

7. 2011 Synod Assembly Together we are the ELCA, an instrument of God to bless the world. Check your Assembly materials to see all the ways God is using us in the domestic and global scenes (Synod ministries, Stories of Faith in Action, The Lutheran, our global partners and many others).

8. Highlights: Book of Faith Initiative We seek proficiency in the first language of faith, the Holy Scriptures. To know God’s work, know God’s Word. Excellent resources available to supplement your congregational initiatives.

9. Book of Faith Not a program, but a way of life for all Connect your congregation’s efforts to this initiative to multiply its effect in the ELCA Contact the Synod’s office for other resources and networks

10. Mission Support Mission Support: “ is the portion of a member’s financial offering that the congregation shares with its synod and the churchwide organization that makes possible the work of this church in the United states, the Caribbean and in the world”. Your Mission Support provides more than 80% of the resources needed for ELCA churchwide ministries.

11. Mission Support We share an interdependent relationship within the ELCA; nearly 10,100 congregations, 65 synods and the churchwide organization; ONE church in three expressions. Thank you for doing your best amidst the difficult circumstances we all face. Together we continue to do God’s work.

12. Re-0rganization A challenging year, with budget reduction and restructuring of churchwide offices Difficult decisions needed to be made. We are financially stable as we enter into the 2011 fiscal year.

13. ELCA today Is the church it has always been--- And, is always being made new 2 concrete ways: A. Living into the Future Together B. Churchwide realignment

14. LIFT: Living into the Future Together Renewing the ecology of the ELCA After 23 years, evaluating organization, governance, interrelationships, networks. Guided by a common mission Recommendations of Church Council to the 2011 Churchwide Assembly are available for your study and participation. Go to www.liftelca.org and share your input.www.liftelca.org

15. LIFT Key questions: What is God calling this church to be and to do in the future? What changes are in order to help us in responding most faithfully?

16. Churchwide Realignment To better serve God in mission. We are about: A. Supporting congregations as growing centers for evangelical witness B. Increasing our capacity to work together to end poverty and strive for justice in the world. See new structure at www.elca.orgwww.elca.org

17. Global Mission The ELCA is engaged in more than 90 countries in the world offering: The gift of 230 missionaries 54 scholarships for emerging global church leaders 5 million in grants for specific ministries 13 million to combat poverty, including sustainable development work

18. Companion Synods Thanks for the mutual ministry with your Companion Synods. What a joy to receive the Suriname brothers and sisters, who witness to all of us “with all boldness”

19. Lutheran Malaria Initiative Malaria kills more than 1 million people a year. It is preventable and treatable. Collaboration of ELCA, LCMS and Lutheran World Relief joins other world leaders to combat malaria Malaria Initiative: our response through prayer and funding is needed. Learn more at www.elca.org/malariawww.elca.org/malaria

20. ELCA strategy on HIV and AIDS Adopted by Church Council in 2009, to respond to this pandemic that has claimed the lives of 25 million people worldwide. Rev. Andrea DeGroot Nesdahl directs this initiative and seeks to engage us in our prayerful response as the people of God. Thanks for your support.

21. Lutheran Disaster Response Thanks to your Mission Support funds, the ELCA already has the needed infrastructure, so that 100% of designated gifts reach their intended audience, locally and globally. Through LDR you are serving the victims of tornados, earthquakes, floods and storms in a timely and dignified manner.

22. Mission Investment Fund A gift among us. Provides investments opportunities to individuals, churches and ELCA related ministries, and Loans and supportive services to new and established ELCA churches/ministries 78 churches and ministries, including the Synod have $11,300,310 in various investments 24 churches are supported by $15,612,499 in loans. Meet Jerry Johnson and Joseph Villalon here.

23. Immigration Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. God’s work, our hands in 2010: 10,110 refugees found a new home 1500 children from custody to family care 14000 detainees received legal services. Bishop Hanson to President Obama: it’s time for immigration reform. Pray for many Lutherans working on missional hospitality for immigrants.

24. Multicultural Ministry Goal: Building multicultural communities in church and world. All expressions of our church are encouraged to deepen our commitment to be an inclusive community. Ethnic specific and multicultural education opportunities are available through Synod and Churchwide leaders. Florida-Bahamas territory is one of the most diverse areas in the country.

25. Youth/ Young Adults Youth, you make us very proud as you share your faith among us, around our communities and around the world. The church is being renewed through the faith of a new generation of leaders; from youth groups, new emergent ministries, campus ministries, outdoor ministries, and other new venues.

26. The Lutheran and Communications The Lutheran: service unit of the ELCA; informs us of God’s action through our church, ecumenical and global partners Explore “The Little Lutheran” for children ELCA new website is a hit!!

27. Women of the ELCA The 8 th Triennial Convention taking place in Spokane, WA., July 12-14, 2011 The Triennial Gathering follows expecting 2000 women of all ages. The Associated Church Press gave the Best in Class Award of Excellence to Café, the electronic magazine for younger women. Go to www.boldcafe.orgwww.boldcafe.org

28. Disaffiliations as of April 2011 Churches voting to leave the ELCA 771 churches took 1 st votes. 553 passed and 247 failed. 469 took second votes, 444 passed. In last 2 years, we have started 120 new churches, with 320 total under development. Thanks to Bishops for their leadership!!

29. 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Here in Orlando the week of August 14 th. Theme: Freed in Christ to Serve Galatians 5: 13 We are called to freedom, to serve one another in love. Volunteers are needed. You can be a guest on Tuesday August 16, to the Mission Encounter day.

30. OBSERVATIONS

31. Projected Percent Change in Population from 2000 to 2015 Source: Claritas, Inc. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, Winter 2006.

32. Projected Percent Change in Population from 2000 to 2015 (with ELCA congregations) Source: Claritas, Inc. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, Winter 2006.

33. Challenge/Opportunity of Context 1.GEOGRAPHICAL: local/national 2.SOCIO-ECONOMIC: a church for all 3.GENERATIONAL: emergent church 4.ETHNIC- specific: 6 communities 5.MULTICULTURAL: a church from all KEY: acting/reflecting out of our missional identity, empowered for any context.

34. GRAYING OF OUR CONGREGATIONS

35. New Faces in our midst

36. OUR STRENGTHS

37. Rich & Deep Theological Heritage

38. ELCA is changing Before: Called, gathered and nourished Today: Claimed, gathered and sent. Out into God’s world, witnessing to God’s activity. “As you go, make disciples.” Direction first, then speed. Foundation is more important than height

39. It’s about MISSION Every member a missionary Every Pastor a mission director Every congregation a mission outpost

40. The Emerging Church Life/ministry as witness and “parable of the kingdom”

41. ELCA NEW STARTS 214 new congregations under development 1.Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities In Florida Bahamas Synod: 9 congregations under development New Latino ministry in Naples More new starts coming forth in 2011.

46. TRUST THE PROMISES Jesus: …”I will build my Church…” Jesus: …”I will be with you always…” God, through Isaiah: …”My word will never come back empty, but will always accomplish the purpose for which it is sent”.

47. TOGETHER WE ARE THE ELCA God’s work, our hands, arms, feet, voices. Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel God bless you!!