ELMC Vision Statement

ELMC Vision Statement

Education and Leadership Ministries Commission (ELMC) engages in ministries of education and faith formation for persons and communities by providing a dynamic ecumenical setting in which denominations and other institutions gather. ELMC's calling is grounded in the biblical story, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the global vision of God's shalom for all creation.

ELMC program committees reflect the core values of this vision statement. Gospel-centered, spiritually grounded and prophetic, they promote justice, diversity, models of shared leadership, and Christian views on hospitality and nurture. The ELMC partnerships enhance the involvement of people beyond the program committees in broader networking relationships so that members grow in faithfulness, theological understanding, and social responsibility.

– Adopted by the ELMC Program Board, January 22, 2001

ELMC 2004-2007 Mission Statement

In the 2004-2007 quadrennium for our working and our being together: We commit ourselves to becoming an antiracist body; to strengthening our relationships among committees, communions and the broader table; and to supporting our staff for professional development, assessment and self care.

– Adopted by the ELMC Administrative Board

ELMC Strategic Goals for 2007 - 2011

Goal 1: To provide support for and educational opportunities to communions and congregations in Christian education, discipleship resources, faith formation, leader development, and justice advocacy to the church and the world.

Strategies:

The Commission will host meetings (face-to-face and electronic) for gathering the best thinking of all participating communions and partners and through this discern the best use of this information in planning future programs and resources focused on strengthening the ministry of the communions and congregations.

The Commission will host one or more forums within the next quadrennium for communion Christian education decision makers where they can build relationships for collegiality and support, experience Sabbath, and enrich one another’s ministry.

The Commission will host one or more leadership events using various avenues (face-to-face meetings, teleconferences, conference calls, electronic and Web-based formats, etc.) that foster ecumenical education and life-long learning.

The Commission will identify a cadre of emerging leaders and will devise and follow a plan for nurturing their formation as leaders.

Goal 2: To be proactive in identifying and responding to emerging trends in faith formation, development, nurture, and justice advocacy.

Strategies:

The Commission, as a regular part if its ongoing Commission and program ministry committee meetings, will provide forums to gather and disseminate the best practices, best thinking, and significant research related to faith formation, development, justice advocacy, and nurture.

The Commission will initiate research and provide avenues for consultations on the changing role and support of the Christian educator in post-denominational, postmodern congregations.

The Commission will develop and/or identify and promulgate through its website and other venues educational resources that address the emerging trends in faith formation, and educate as needed on issues of injustice for the purpose of empowering advocates.

The Commission will collaborate with institutions of higher education in providing information, resources, and programming for forming faith that addresses the issues of our contemporary world and for training professionals in Christian education.

The Commission will collaborate with all other NCC commissions to promote a vision for our shared life and witness so that communions are presented with information and resources to take seriously Christ’s call for all Christians to live into the reign of God.