American Lutheran Church (1961-1987). Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation

See also TALC 16 Administrative History, AUG 24/8 Administrative History, LCA 16/5/1 Administrative History, and LWM 1/10/1 Background.

From the description of Lutheran Coordination Service Files 1973-1982. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074571

See TALC 16/8/3.

From the description of Financial Records 1970-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166246

See TALC 16.

From the description of Subject Files 1955-1988; 1973-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166219

See TALC 14/10/2 Administrative History, TALC 16 Administrative History, TALC 16/6 Administrative History.

From the description of Igreja Evangelica Confissao Luterana no Brasil Files 1972-1988; 1972-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54106964

See TALC 14/6/4, and TALC 14/6/4/1/1.

From the description of American Lutheran Mission Files 1973-1979. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166223

See TALC 14, TALC 16, and TALC 16/4.

From the description of Financial Records by Country 1980-1988; 1985-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166893

See TALC 16 Administrative History.

From the description of Personnel Handbook 1961-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074565

From the description of Africa Program Files 1965-1986; 1974-1982. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54087037

From the description of Task Force on Missionary Compensation 1969-1980; 1976-1980. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54106961

From the description of Personnel Handbook 1961-1986 [microform]. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54087652

From the description of Subject Files 1913-1986; 1975-1984. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074807

See TALC 14, TALC 16, and TALC 16/2/4/2.

From the description of Scholarships 1966-1978. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166211

Kristen Pres, Incorporated (KPI) was incorporated in 1969. It took over the former Luther Press, which became the production division of the new publishing venture. It reported directly to both the Lutheran Mission New Guinea (LMNG) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea. When the LMNG was phased out, KPI was then entirely responsible to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea.

From the description of Publications 1965-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166248

See TALC Administrative History.

From the description of Publications 1960-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54078258

See TALC 16 and TALC 16/8.

From the description of Subject Files 1933-1987; 1973-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48197582

See TALC 16 Administrative History, TALC 16/6 Administrative History.

From the description of Correspondence, Publications, and Subject Files 1980-1988. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54106966

The East Africa Committee was a cooperative effort of the Division for World Mission and Inter- Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) and the Division for World Mission and Ecumenism (DWME) of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). Although it was broadly interpreted to include the countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and Somalia, it was in reality chiefly concerned with Tanzania. Although already involved indirectly in Tanzania funding through participation in the Lutheran Coordination Service (LCS, see LWM 1/10/11), TALC and the LCA formed the East Africa Committee in order to become more directly involved in the administration of the Tanzania work.

From the description of East Africa Committee 1974-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166234

See TALC 14, TALC 14/8, TALC 16, and TALC 16/8/3.

From the description of Reports 1966-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166250

See TALC 14 and TALC 16.

From the description of Financial Records 1961-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166888

From the description of Pamphlets, Prayer Calendars, and Brochures 1973-1984. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166214

See ALC 26 Administrative History, TALC 16 Administrative History, TALC 16/6 Administrative History.

From the description of Correspondence and Subject Files 1941-1988; 1967-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54106965

See TALC 14/6/7, LCA 16/5/1, and AUG 24/8.

From the description of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Files 1973-1982. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166233

The objective of Women Missionaries Oral History Project of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) was to collect the oral histories of women who served as missionaries for TALC or its predecessor bodies at any point between 1930 and 1980. The project was conducted in three stages, stage I included women missionaries born before 1910; stage II included women missionaries born between 1911-1920; and stage III included women missionaries born after 1921.

From the description of Stage II Transcripts 1987-1988. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54107453

See TALC 16/4/2/1.

From the description of Personnel Exchange 1968-1988; 1975-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166890

See TALC 14/6/4/2.

From the description of Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Files 1973-1988. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166224

See TALC 16/7/5.

From the description of Publications, Reports, and Subject Files 1953-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166230

From the description of Minutes 1961-1979. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166225

From the description of Correspondence 1960-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166228

From the description of Financial Records 1960-1984. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166229

From the description of Financial Records 1960-1984. [microform]. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54087791

See TALC 16 Administrative History, TALC 16/6 Administrative History, TALC 14/10/2 Administrative History, TALC 14/10/3 Administrative History.

From the description of Correspondence, Reports, Subject Files 1957-1988; 1972-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54106963

See also TALC Administrative History.

The American Lutheran Church (TALC), through the Interpretation Department of its Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC), sponsored travel and study seminars to geographical areas where TALC was involved in mission work. The purpose of these trips was to strengthen ties with partner churches and organizations in these countries, educate TALC members about mission work occurring in these regions, and introduce them to brothers and sisters in Christ in developing countries. The hope was that upon returning home, participants in these tours would educate their congregations and other TALC congregations about the work in which the church was involved overseas. Participants applied for the program and if accepted where given study materials prior to departure along with basic orientation information and what expectations the church had in terms of their involvement in the seminar. Some seminars, such as the one in China, were cosponsored with the Lutheran Church in America.

From the description of Study Seminars Program Files 1984-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074568

See also TALC 16 Administrative History, ELC 4/4/1 Background.

In 1960 Madagascar gained its independence from France. At this time the focus in Madagascar for The American Lutheran Church's (TALC) Division of World Missions shifted to the transition from a mission-administered program to a church-administered program and from mission personnel leadership to church member leadership. It was hoped that a renewed Sunday School initiative would begin to reverse the decline in the number of second and third-generation members of the Fiangonana Loterana Malagasy (FLM), or Malagasy Lutheran Church. TALC mission and FLM efforts also focused on the Lutheran Printing Press and programming created for Radio Voice of the Gospel, upgrading schools, construction of new hospitals and the addition of medical personnel.

TALC missionaries were primarily deployed in southern areas of Madagascar in the Southeast and Southwest synods in addition to persons serving at the churchwide level in education, radio, and printing efforts. Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) involvement in Madagascar was primarily through deployment of mission personnel and financial assistance, but it also provided funding for new ministries in north and southwest Madagascar through the United Mission Appeal fund-raising effort.

From the description of Minutes, Correspondence, Reports, and Subject Files 1963-1987; 1983-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074974

The Board of World Missions (BWM) of the Division of World Missions of The American Lutheran Church (TALC, see TALC 14) consisted of six clergy and three laity elected for six-year terms. They met twice a year. The President of the Church and the Executive Director of the DWM served the board in an advisory capacity. An Executive Committee consisting of the chairman of the board and two additional members conducted business between board meetings. The two additional members were almost always the secretary and the vice chairman of the board.

The board met initially in 1959 before the formation of The American Lutheran Church became official. T.H. Rossing became chair in 1959, serving until 1960, when a merger of the American Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church created The American Lutheran Church (TALC). Rossing continued as chairman until 1966. Edward Long served from 1966 until his death in 1972, with Lawrence M. Gudmestad, previously vice-chairman, completing Long's term in 1972. In 1973 the name of the division was changed to the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) and the BWM became the Board of the DWMIC (see TALC 16 and TALC 16/1).

From the description of Board of World Missions Minutes 1959-1973. [microform]. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54087700

See also TALC 16 Administrative History.

The Rev. Mark W. Thomsen, Director, Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC), The American Lutheran Church, served as a member of the coordinating committee to the transition team of the Commission for a New Lutheran Church (CNLC). This commission was charged with planning for the new church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), to be created by the merger of The American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.

From the description of Commission for a New Lutheran Church Workgroups and Committees Files 1981-1987 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074566

See also TALC 16 Administrative History.

At its April 1979 meeting, the Board of World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) expressed an interest in pursuing mission work and ministry in Indonesia. In 1980 TALC began the process to secure visas for two missionaries it intended to send to assist the Gereja Kristen Protestan Di Bali (GKPB), or the Protestant Christian Church in Bali, with its English-language teaching program. These missionaries would serve as teaching assistants to the Indonesian teachers at two church-owned schools in Bali. The teachers would serve under the same guidelines given by the DWMIC to other short-term program participants. The purpose of this program primarily was to strengthen the English-teaching program in Bali, but it would also strengthen Christian witness and contribute to national development in Indonesia. Unfortunately, by 1982 TALC had been unable to secure visas for the two young women it wished to send to Bali and as a result terminated its efforts to do so.

TALC considered attempting to obtain the visas again in 1983 this time seeking recommendations from the appropriate Bali government authorities. It was advised against this by the GKPB on the grounds that the church would not be able to secure the recommendation needed for teaching visas from the Ministry of Education and Culture. In the end TALC decided not to apply for any visas due to the fact the two women who would have gone to Bali were serving in Papua New Guinea through 1984 and it was thought unwise to disrupt their work there.

During a visit to the United States in 1985, Dr. Soritua Nababan of the Council of Churches in Indonesia (CCI) alerted TALC to the need for assistance in electronic communications and with Yakoma, the agency responsible for electronic communications for the community of churches in Indonesia. It was acknowledged by TALC that traditionally the LCA was the primary American Lutheran church with mission and ministry in Indonesia, but TALC officials believed the reason its assistance was requested by the CCI was that TALC had experts in the field of electronic communication.

From the description of Correspondence and Reports 1979-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074884

See also TALC 16 Administrative History.

In Bangladesh there are two principal Lutheran churches. The older of the two, the Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (BNELC) organized in 1959 and adopted its constitution in 1968. It was originally part of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India. The BNELC derived its principal support from the Norwegian Santal Mission. In 1979 the Bengali-speaking members of the BNELC left to organize their own church, the Bangladesh Lutheran Church (BLC).

As of 1976, The American Lutheran Church's Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) had no direct relationship with the BNELC or the principal Lutheran mission in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Lutheran Mission (BLM). But it did establish basic operating principles between itself and the World Mission Prayer League (WMPL), the primary American group working in Bangladesh, as they related to funding of projects of mutual importance and interest. It was decided that on a case-by-case basis TALC would consider providing financial assistance to BNELC projects. WMPL could approach the DWMIC to request funding, particularly for projects involving community health issues or leadership training, but it was clearly understood that TALC was not funding the WMPL, BNELC, BLM, or any of their personnel or operating budgets.

In addition to its agreement with the WMPL, in the early 1970s TALC, along with the Lutheran Church in America, sent a number of their missionaries to staff a training center for personnel for a new hospital, the Ser-e-Bangla Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital.

From the description of Correspondence and Reports 1972-1983. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074572

The work of the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC, see TALC 16) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) was directed by the Board for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (BWMIC). The board was composed of 18 district members and three members at-large, with an Executive Committee consisting of the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and two members elected at-large. James H. Burtness was elected the first board chair, serving till 1976. He was followed by James Kallas, 1976-1978; Herman Larsen, 1978-1980; Leroy Johnsrud, 1980-1984; and Raymond Flachmeier, 1984-1987. The members of the board were divided into review committees for the areas of East Asia, Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

The board determined the scope and direction of the mission work of TALC, heard reports, set budgets, and selected personnel for both DWMIC staff and missionaries. It met twice a year, with the Executive Committee having power to transact routine business between meetings or to call special meetings. Matters of personnel were dealt with in closed sessions at the time of board meetings.

From the description of Minutes 1973-1987 [microform]. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54087345

See also TALC 16 Administrative History

The Lutheran Missionary Training Committee (LMTC) was created in 1968 to oversee various responsibilities for creation and implementation of missionary pre-service training programs for short-term and career missionaries. The committee comprised representatives from the mission boards of The American Lutheran Church (TALC), the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). Officers for the committee included a chairperson, secretary, and financial secretary and were elected from the membership of the committee for three-year terms. The committee met in the spring and fall of each year and whenever else deemed necessary. There was also a Director of Missionary Training called for a three-year term of service. The director's responsibilities included overseeing the planning and implementation of training programs, providing assistance in the development of the budget, and serving as a resource person gathering information pertaining to missionary training programs in North America and elsewhere.

In 1972 the Lutheran Council in the USA (LCUSA) called LMTC director, Rev. Ivan Fagre, to a position within its organization. This necessitated a change in the operation of the LMTC. Rev. Fagre became the Secretary for International Mission and Ministry, a full-time position within LCUSA, but with a provision that allowed him to carry out his duties as LMTC director. In 1975 the LCMS withdrew from the LCUSA program of International Mission and Ministry, the program through which the LMTC director worked. Upon consideration of the situation, the LCA and TALC requested that the USA National Committee (USANC) of the Lutheran World Federation assume responsibility for the LMTC. In 1977 it was decided to terminate the LMTC due to changes in committee participation and composition, but it was decided to continue its Summer Institute for Mission. The program continued through the Lutheran World Ministries (LWM) Standing Committee on International Scholarship and Exchange and later the Office of Mission, Service, and Development.

From the description of Lutheran Missionary Training Committee 1966-1976 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074806

See also TALC 16 Administrative History.

The American Lutheran Church (TALC) did not have established mission work in Australia. Its predecessors the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and Other States and later the American Lutheran Church (1930-1960) cooperated with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia, later the Lutheran Church of Australia, in mission work in Papua New Guinea. But in addition to continued cooperation in regards to mission work in Papua New Guinea, TALC and the Lutheran Church of Australia cooperated in a program where TALC pastors would serve in parishes in the Lutheran Church of Australia. While serving the need of providing pastors for parishes, the program also allowed for the sharing of different forms and styles of ministry. It appears the program started some time after 1974 and slowed in 1983 when the Lutheran Church of Australia no longer suffered as consistently from a shortage of pastors.

From the description of Minutes, Correspondence, and Reports 1970-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074883

A Scholarship Committee was established in 1973 by the Board for World Mission and Inter- Church Cooperation (BWMIC) of the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC). Its purpose was "to examine scholarship applications from missionaries and overseas churchmen; to make recommendations on these applications to BWMIC; to periodically review the scholarship programs of BWMIC in an attempt to ascertain whether they are adequately meeting the scholarship objectives of BWMIC; and to serve as a general resource group for BWMIC on scholarship."

The committee met immediately prior to regularly scheduled BWMIC meetings. It was composed of three members elected from the board, the executive director, and a staff person who administered the missionary or overseas churchmen scholarships. In addition, the area secretaries served as consultants. Overseas churchmen scholarship recipients usually served in pastorates in the USA rather than undertaking educational studies. These were called exchange pastors although there is no indication that USA churchmen were sent overseas to take their places.

From the description of Scholarship Committee Files 1971-1987 [microform]. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54087742

The work of the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC, see TALC 16) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) was directed by the Board for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (BWMIC). The board was composed of 18 district members and three members at-large, with an Executive Committee consisting of the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and two members elected at-large. James H. Burtness was elected the first board chair, serving till 1976. He was followed by James Kallas, 1976-1978; Herman Larsen, 1978-1980; Leroy Johnsrud, 1980-1984; and Raymond Flachmeier, 1984-1987. The members of the board were divided into review committees for the areas of East Asia, Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

The board determined the scope and direction of the mission work of TALC, heard reports, set budgets, and selected personnel for both DWMIC staff and missionaries. It met twice a year, with the Executive Committee having power to transact routine business between meetings or to call special meetings. Matters of personnel were dealt with in closed sessions at the time of board meetings.

From the description of Minutes 1973-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166209

The Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) sponsored an inter-church consultation on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, on July 26-August 4, 1978. The theme of the consultation was "Stepping Boldly and Firmly ... Into the '80s."

The purpose of the consultation was.

1. To assist the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation in the development of a world mission strategy for the DWMIC for the next decade, helping it to define its future role as a partner in mission, especially as it relates to personnel resources, financial involvement, leadership training, and specialized ministry such as health, education, community service and communication.

2. To reflect on global issues which are critical to the healing and reconciling ministry of the church in the world.

3. To seek ways to express more adequately the interdependent relationship between The American Lutheran Church and those churches with which it is related in mission and ministry" (Letter, Morris A. Sorenson, Jr., Director DWMIC, to Partners in Mission, following the consultation, August 30, 1978).

Attending the consultation were 33 church leaders from Asia, Africa, Melanesia, and Latin America, with a like number of North American participants, including board and staff members of the DWMIC and the general officers of TALC. Resource persons from the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation were also present. Most of the overseas participants spent a full month in the United States, participating in an orientation and visiting U.S. congregations and institutions. Church leaders were in attendance from Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Empire, Colombia, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Taiwan, and Tanzania.

From the description of Inter-Church Consultation 1978. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166894

Mission policy for the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC, see TALC 16) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) was set by the Board for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (BWMIC, see TALC 16/1). The policy set by the BWMIC was administered by a director and an advisory cabinet of assistant director, business administrator, secretary for interpretation, secretary for East Asia, secretary for Africa and Madagascar, secretary for Latin America, and secretary for South Asia (see TALC 16/1).

See TALC 16.

From the description of Minutes 1978-1981. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166887

In October 1973 the Church Council of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) authorized a fund-raising effort called the United Mission Appeal (UMA). The initial goal of this campaign was $25,000,000, to be divided equally between world mission, administered by the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC), and American mission, administered by the Division for Service and Mission in America (DSMA). The $25,000,000 was to be augmented with budgeted funds to provide a total of $100,000,000 to be spent on missions at home and abroad during the remainder of the 1970s.

The campaign began in 1974 with Kenneth Priebe as national director. By 1980 more than $37,000,000 had been pledged and more than $34,000,000 contributed. Expenses of the campaign were covered by interest on the funds, so that the entire amount donated was available for mission projects. The funds were not all expended in the 1970s and were used for projects through 1987, at which time TALC became a part of the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The remaining world mission funds of the UMA were transferred to the Division for Global Mission of the ELCA.

From the description of Records 1974-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166889

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG) was established in 1956 as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea. The name changed in 1975 with the formation of the nation of Papua New Guinea.

Missionary John Kuder, superintendent and then president of the LMNG from 1945-1969, served as the church's first bishop. He was replaced in 1973 by Bishop Zurewe K. Zurenuo, who had formerly served the church as secretary. Zurenuo served until 1981 and was replaced by Getake S. Gam in 1982. The bishops were, following New Guinea tradition, addressed by their first names (Bishop Zurewe and Bishop Getake).

The church began to take over many of the responsibilities of the LMNG in the late 1960s. In 1976 the LMNG, incorporated by the government in 1953, asked that the government repeal its incorporation. This was done and the LMNG turned over its remaining responsibilities and property to the ELC-PNG.

From the description of Files 1957-1987; 1973-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48197633

The minutes of the first biennial meeting of the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea (ELCONG) states, "By roll call vote, all circuits voted to accept the Church Order and thereby the ELCONG was established shortly after 2 PM on Feb. 13, 1956. This act was followed by hymns of praise sung by the various districts." When the nation of Papua New Guinea was formed in 1975, the synod changed its name to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG).

The synod met at first biennially and later triennially. The districts that combined to form it were Jabem, Kâte, and Madang. A fourth district, Highlands, was under the supervision of the other three, although by the second meeting in 1958 it was listed independently. Districts were further divided into circuits, the circuits into parishes, and the parishes into congregations. Later the districts of Lae, Goroka, Chimbu, and Hagen were added. The Siassi Lutheran Church, which merged with the ELC-PNG in 1976, became another district, and the Papua district was formed in 1981. A Church Council was formed, consisting of the president of the synod and a representative called a councillor and a missionary from each district.

A chairman, secretary, and treasurer were elected for each district, with the chairmen taking turns presiding at meeting sessions. The secretaries prepared minutes in local languages. The treasurers were assisted by the mission comptroller. By 1964 the synod was electing singular chairmen and treasurers and two secretaries to prepare minutes in English and Pidgin.

The Church Council, consisting of the Bishop, Secretary, and two nationals and one missionary from each district, conducted business between synod meetings. Minutes were kept in both Pidgin and English.

From the description of Minutes 1956-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166241

According to its minutes, the purpose of the New Guinea Coordinating Committee (NGCC), which began in 1970 following informal meetings in 1968 and 1969, was to "serve as a coordinating agency and forum of consultation for the several overseas Board and Societies in their relationships to Lutheran Mission New Guinea/Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea."

The supporting agencies that made up the NGCC were the Board of Overseas Missions of the Lutheran Church of Australia, the Division of World Missions of the American Lutheran Church (later The American Lutheran Church), the Neuendettelsau Mission Society (later Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria), and the Leipzig Mission Society (later Nordelbisches Zentrum für Weltmission und Kirchlichen Weltdienst, or North-Elbian Lutheran Churches. In 1978 the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada became a member of the NGCC.

Officers were chairman and secretary. Elections are not noted in the annual minutes, so it is unclear whether there were set terms or when an officer's tenure began and ended.

In 1972 an office, called the Lutheran Secretariat, was established in Australia. An executive officer of the secretariat was hired, called the Administrative Secretary. A major task of this Administrative Secretary was the receipt and disbursement of funds. By 1978 the NGCC began to phase out the role of the Administrative Secretary as the Evangelical Lutheran Church-Papua New Guinea took ever-increasing responsibility for administering its own finances.

From the description of New Guinea Coordinating Committee 1968-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48167061

Prior to World War II mission schools were conducted in the vernacular, using three languages selected by the mission as "church" languages: Graged, Kâte, and Jabem. Following the war, government schools, all conducted in English, flourished. The American Lutheran Church (ALC) did not have any English-language schools until 1952, when it established a high school in Bumayong, near Lae. The Goroka Valley English School (later Aroka), was opened in 1956. By that time the government was strongly advocating that classes in all schools be conducted in English. The mission did not, however, abandon, its vernacular schools. It continued conducting its Bible schools and beginning levels of primary schools in Pidgin.

By the time of the formation of The American Lutheran Church (TALC), Lutheran mission education in Papua New Guinea was administered by the Lutheran Education Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG). This office, first listed in the minutes of 1968, was led by the Mission Education Officer (later called the Education Secretary), directing the English education programs, and a Religious Literacy Officer, directing the schools conducted in the vernacular. In 1978 these two offices were combined into one Lutheran Education Board, with Assistant Secretaries for the two departments.

As the government pushed for an increased number of schools conducted in English, a severe shortage of trained teachers developed. A temporary solution to this shortage was an influx of short-term missionary teachers and volunteers.

By the time of the centennial celebration of mission work in New Guinea in 1986, the ELC-PNG operated, in cooperation with the government, 150 primary schools, four high schools, and the Balob Teachers College. It also had a School of Nursing in Yagaum and three seminaries. The seminaries are the Senior Flierl Seminary in Logaweng, the Lutheran Highland Seminary in Ogelbeng, and the Martin Luther Seminary in Lae.

From the description of Education Files 1962-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166901

A Justification and Justice Conference, sponsored by the Division for World Mission and Inter- Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC), was held in Mexico City on December 7-14, 1985. Participants were from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.

Presentations were prepared in both English and Spanish. Each address had one or more written responses. Some of the many issues confronted were exploitative economic systems, foreign military intervention, the role of women in the church, and the reemergence of democratic processes in Latin America.

Complete summaries of issues, conclusions, and recommended actions are found in the first two files of the record series, titled News Releases and Final Statement.

From the description of Justification and Justice Conference, Mexico City 1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166898

The Lutheran Mission New Guinea (see TALC 14/8/3/1) had ceased to exist by 1975, but there was still a need for missionaries to serve on the Papua New Guinea field. Although the missionaries now served under and at the request of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG), missionary oversight of such things as salaries, furloughs, housing, and recruitment still existed. These matters were looked after by an overseas personnel secretary, later called the administrative secretary, and later still the administrative secretary of overseas affairs. It is unclear from the records who appointed these secretaries, although they were listed on the stationery of the Office of the Bishop of the ELC-PNG, which would indicate that they probably served under its jurisdiction. Regardless of who appointed them, they served in a liaison capacity between the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) and the ELC-PNG.

Another liaison relationship was that called ALC liaison. The correspondence is very similar to that of the administrative secretaries noted above. Again, the records did not indicate how these liaisons were appointed, nor to whom they were responsible. Some of the same people served in both positions but not simultaneously, so the positions were different in some way. It is also uncertain whether the ALC liaison was liaison only to the Division for World Mission and Inter- Church Cooperation or to the New Guinea Coordinating Committee as well.

From the description of Correspondence 1958-1985; 1973-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166244

The Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa (JCMWA) or Ministere Chretien Commun en Afrique Occidentale began with a consultation held in Dakar, Senegal in 1979, followed by a founding meeting the same year in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. The church and mission bodies participating were The American Lutheran Church (TALC), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Senegal, the Finnish Missionary Society, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, the Sudan United Mission (Danish Branch), and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany.

A provisional standing committee met in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1980. James L. Knutson, TALC secretary for Africa and Madagascar, served on the standing committee. The first assembly was held in Jos, Nigeria, in 1980. A headquarters or secretariat was established in Jos. Officers of the JCMWA were an elected chairman and secretary of the standing committee. A part-time voluntary treasurer was chosen by the committee. John Gorder, a TALC missionary, served as chairman. The standing committee consisted of five members from West Africa and four from other regions such as the participating mission bodies. Written materials were to be printed in both English and French and, when possible, Fulfulde.

In addition to the participation of Knutson, TALC related to the JCMWA through its representative for West Africa (Clifford Michelsen, see TALC 16/7/11) and its missionaries in Cameroon (see TALC 16/7/2), Niger (see TALC 16/7/12), Nigeria (see TALC 16/7/5), the Sahel, Senegal (see TALC 16/7/10), and the Upper Volta.

From the description of Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa 1979-1982. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166240

Work in the Central African Republic (CAR, called the Central African Empire from 1976-1979) began as an extension of the work with the Gbaya and Fulani tribes done by the Sudan Mission in Cameroun (see ELC 4/3). The first missionaries from the Sudan Mission to move into the CAR, known at that time as French Equatorial Africa, were Pastor and Mrs. Ernest R. Weinhardt and Andrew Okland in 1928. In 1952 the Board of Foreign Missions (BFM) of the ELC assumed responsibility for the work of the Sudan Mission, including both Cameroun and the CAR.

The work became a part of the Division of World Missions (DWM) when The American Lutheran Church (TALC), which included the former ELC, was established in 1960, and of the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) when TALC was restructured in 1973. Administrative oversight rested with Rolf A. Syrdal, executive secretary of the BFM of the ELC (1946-1960) and executive director of the DWM of TALC (1960-1963); Theodore P. Fricke (1963-1970) and Morris A. Sorenson, Jr. (1970-1973), executive directors of the DWM; and Morris A. Sorenson, Jr. (1973-1981) and Mark W. Thomsen (1981-1987), directors of the DWMIC.

The DWM and DWMIC in turn placed the oversight of this work in the hands of Lowell Hesterman (assistant to the director, 1964-1987, and secretary for Africa and Madagascar, 1971-1973), and James L. Knutson (secretary for Africa and Madagascar, 1973-1987). On the field the work was directed by the American Lutheran Church Missionary Association (ALCMA), consisting of all the missionaries and led by a superintendent and treasurer.

In 1960 the Eglise évangélique luthérienne du Caméroun, translated Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon (ELCC, see TALC 16/7/2/1), was established. The boundaries of the ELCC included the CAR. In 1974, when the ELCC became fully autonomous, the churches within the CAR broke away from the ELCC. They established a separate church body named Eglise évangélique luthérienne de la République Centrafricaine, translated Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (ELC-CAR).

From the description of Files 1972-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166899

Lutheran missions are newcomers to the country of Senegal. In 1974 the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) began work among the Serere-speaking people. In 1975 it was joined by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, another product of the FELM.

In 1979 The American Lutheran Church (TALC), in consultation with partner church bodies in Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Nigeria, organized an agency called the Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa (JCMWA, see TALC 16/7/12) to begin work with the Fulani-speaking people of Senegal. Much of the work involved agricultural and literacy projects for the nomadic Fulani. Although the TALC called its work the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Senegal (EELS), no congregations were formed during the tenure of the TALC.

As on other TALC mission fields, the missionaries, though few, were organized into a Mission Association for the purpose of directing the work on the field. Administrative oversight was given by James L. Knutson, secretary for Africa and Madagascar, under the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC).

From the description of Senegal Files 1975-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166235

The Board for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (BWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) established the Task Force on the Implications of Calling and Salarying of Missionary Spouses in 1982.

The purpose of the task force was to look at ways to recognize the contribution to mission made by spouses of called missionaries. The board directed that this goal was to be accomplished by providing a call to the spouse and by providing salary in the spouse's own name.

The task force faced several difficulties in establishing a fair policy. First, the task force was required to keep total salaries within existing budget parameters. Therefore, if a previously uncalled spouse became a called missionary, the previously called spouse's salary would need to be adjusted downward.

Second, salaries had previously been set to correlate with stateside TALC pastoral salaries. If this salary were then divided because the spouse shared the salary, the figures would no longer correspond to the pastoral salary scale.

Third, the suggested policy change sought to reduce the amount paid if a spouse worked outside the church. This would be done by discontinuing benefits for the spouse thus employed. Critics pointed out that a stateside pastor did not lose salary when a spouse took outside employment.

Fourth, TALC was approaching a merger with the Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. TALC did not want to establish a new policy that would need to be rewritten when the merger was completed in 1987. In the end, the report of task force recommended little change to the existing policy. Rather, it encouraged that a study be undertaken by the three merging churches to establish a policy for the merged church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

From the description of Task Force on the Implications of Calling and Salarying of Missionary Spouses 1983-1984. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166896

In addition to the more traditional mission work in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania, the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) also maintained work in Africa which crossed country borders and was termed simply West Africa. Much of the West Africa work involved the nomadic Fulani tribe. The countries and areas included in this designation were Cameroun (see TALC 16/7/2), Niger (see TALC 16/7/12), Nigeria (see TALC 16/7/5), the Sahel, Senegal (see TALC 16/7/10), and the Upper Volta. Languages used were English, French, and Fulfulde.

Administrative oversight was provided by James L. Knutson, TALC secretary for Africa and Madagascar. On the field the oversight was in the hands of the West Africa representative, Clifford Michelsen. Michelsen served as liaison to the DWMIC through Knutson and to the individual African countries through the country representatives. He also served as liaison to the ecumenical Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa (JCMWA, see TALC 16/7/13).

From the description of West Africa 1974-1981. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166236

The Eglise évangélique luthérienne du Caméroun (translated Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon and abbreviated ELCC) was established in 1960 by the Norwegian Missionary Society and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELC), soon to become part of the newly formed The American Lutheran Church (TALC). The Norwegian Missionary Society had established work in N'gaoundéré in 1925. The ELC had taken over work established in 1923 in Mboula and Meiganga by the independent Sudan Mission. The two groups combined their work in 1960, and the USA responsibility became a part of the Division of World Missions (DWM) of TALC. In 1973 the Division of World Missions was replaced by the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC).

During the early years of the church the Association of Missionaries, or Sudan Mission (see TALC 16/7/2/1) continued to work beside the church and to direct partially the work of the church. In 1974 the ELCC became fully autonomous when the mission integrated with the local church.

The governing body of the ELCC is the general synod (sometimes called the general council), which meets biennially to determine policy and to elect a president and administrative council. Headquarters are in N'gaoundéré. The general synod consists of six regional synods of Meiganga, Garoua Boulai, Tibati, Poli, Tcholliré, and N'gaoundéré. The church operates hospitals, dispensaries, leprosaria, orphanages, primary schools, Bible schools, and a boarding school. The ELCC is actively involved in evangelism efforts and is especially involved in encouraging the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, a group that separated from the ELCC in 1974.

From the description of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon (Eglise évangélique luthérienne du Caméroun) 1967-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166222

The Sudan Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (established as an independent body in 1923, see ELC 4/3) became a part of the Division of World Missions (DWM) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) upon the formation of the TALC in 1960. Initially the DWM, along with the Norwegian Missionary Society, directed the work of the Eglise évangélique luthérienne du Caméroun, (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon or ELCC, see TALC 16/7/2/2), also established in 1960. By 1974 the ELCC had become autonomous, and the DWM, now called the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC), worked alongside the ELCC as the church determined its own course.

The missionaries of the DWM formed The ALC Association of Missionaries. Its constitution states under Section I, NAME, "The name of the organization shall be: THE ALC MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION IN CAMEROUN." Under Section IV, ORGANIZATION, it states, "Legally, The Association shall be known as The Sudan Mission." Thus it operated under two names that were used interchangeably.

The association met annually. Officers were association representative (originally called superintendent, but designated in the files as group representative), vice representative, treasurer, and secretary. Serving as representative were the following: Paul Nostbakken, 1960-1961, 1968- 1969; Theodore Ellingboe, 1962-[1964]; Clifford S. Michelsen, 1969-1974; Ronald W. Nelson, 1974-1976; and Lee Bohnhoff, 1976-[1977]. Between annual meetings an executive committee, composed of the officers and two elected at-large members, conducted business. The association dealt with matters of missionary personnel, housing, compensation, and property.

The representative served as a liaison between the church, the missionaries, and TALC. The DWM and DWMIC placed the oversight of this work in the hands of Lowell Hesterman (assistant to the director, 1964-1987, and secretary for Africa and Madagascar, 1971-1973), and James L. Knutson (secretary for Africa and Madagascar, 1973-1987).

From the description of Association of Missionaries (Sudan Mission) 1960-1985. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166220

Lutheran work in Niger was a part of the Luthérienne du Sahel or Lutheran Mission to the Sahel (LMS), carried out by the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) in West Africa (see TALC 16/7/11). The LMS was in turn related to an ecumenical committee called the Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa (JCMWA, see TALC 16/7/13).

The work was mainly with the Fulani people, a tribe that spread over several African countries. The Fulanis were nomadic cattle herders, thus mission projects related to agriculture and literacy. Administrative oversight was provided by James L. Knutson, TALC Secretary for Africa and Madagascar. On the field administrative responsibility was carried by Don Flaten (1976-1977) and Robert Cottingham (1978-1979), designated representatives of TALC.

From the description of Niger Files 1976-1979. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166237

Lutheran mission work in South Africa began with the arrival in Natal of Hans P.S. Schreuder and a Mr. Thommeson in 1844. Originally sponsored by a group of individuals called the Committee in Christiania [Norway], the work was turned over to the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS) in 1846.

When permission to enter Zululand was refused by the Zulu king, Thommeson returned home and Schreuder sought to establish work in China. In 1848, convinced that he was not the right person to begin work in China, Schreuder returned to South Africa and was joined by three others. Work began with Zulus who lived across the border from Zululand in Natal, and the first mission station was established in Umpumulo in 1850. Permission to enter Zululand was finally granted after Schreuder successfully treated the king's rheumatism.

In 1873 Schreuder resigned from the NMS and continued the work of one station, Ntumeni. This became known as the Schreuder Mission. The Committee in Christiania (later called Central Committee) was reorganized and provided Schreuder's support, continuing until the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America or ELC after 1946) took over in 1927. The mission then became known as the American Lutheran Mission in South Africa (Schreuder Mission).

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, South Eastern Region, was established in 1960, sponsored by five mission agencies. These agencies were the NMS, the Berlin Mission Society, the Hermannsburg Missionary Society, the Church of Sweden, and the ELC through its cooperative work with the NMS and the Schreuder Mission. In 1977 the Schreuder Mission, acknowledging the established indigenous church, disbanded as an administrative unit, and transferred what little responsibility it still retained to the NMS.

Administrative oversight of the American work in South Africa was provided by the Board of Foreign Mission of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America (1927-1946), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (1946-1960), the Division of World Missions of The American Lutheran Church (TALC) (1960-1973), and the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of TALC (1973-1987).

From the description of Files 1847-1987; 1979-1986. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48167022

A Scholarship Committee was established in 1973 by the Board for World Mission and Inter- Church Cooperation (BWMIC) of the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC) of The American Lutheran Church (TALC). Its purpose was "to examine scholarship applications from missionaries and overseas churchmen; to make recommendations on these applications to BWMIC; to periodically review the scholarship programs of BWMIC in an attempt to ascertain whether they are adequately meeting the scholarship objectives of BWMIC; and to serve as a general resource group for BWMIC on scholarship."

The committee met immediately prior to regularly scheduled BWMIC meetings. It was composed of three members elected from the board, the executive director, and a staff person who administered the missionary or overseas churchmen scholarships. In addition, the area secretaries served as consultants. Overseas churchmen scholarship recipients usually served in pastorates in the USA rather than undertaking educational studies. These were called exchange pastors although there is no indication that USA churchmen were sent overseas to take their places.

From the description of Scholarship Committee Files 1971-1987. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 48166212

See also TALC Administrative History.

Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) headquarters is in Dumka, northeast of Calcutta. The India aboriginal tribe Santals form the majority of its members and it has been known as the NELC since 1958. Prior to this name it was Ebenezer Lutheran Church. It was originally referred to as the Indian Home Mission to the Santals and was founded in approximately 1870 by Hans Pater Bʻrreson and Lars Olsen Skrefsrud, two lay persons from Norway.

Support from the United States began in 1891 with the creation of the Santal Mission Committee. It comprised eight persons and had no constitution or bylaws. Members were elected for life. It had a president, vice-president, secretary, and vice-secretary/treasurer. It did not send missionaries to India until 1904 when it sent the Rev. M.A. Pedersen and his wife Emma, who were members of the Lutheran Free Church. In 1938 the committee incorporated itself in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches, Inc. and in 1963 changed its name to The Santal Mission.

In 1968 the Santal Mission transferred ownership of mission property to the NELC. In 1972, as the result of a new interrelation agreement reached, the mission boards for TALC and LCA began to relate directly to the NELC and send its contributions directly to the church instead of through the Santal Mission.

In 1972 the mission entered into a cooperative work agreement with the World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) and moved its headquarters into space shared with the WMPL. On May 1, 1972, the Santal Mission officially joined the WMPL, though it continued its legal corporation for the purpose of maintaining annuities, investments, legacies, and properties.

From the description of Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC)/Santal Mission Files 1888-1984; 1967-1984. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 54074966

See also ELC 4/5/1 Background, TALC 14/8/1/1 Background, TALC 16 Administrative History.

During the 1972-1974 biennium, The American Lutheran Church (TALC) underwent a reorganization that created the Division for World Mission and Inter-Church Cooperation (DWMIC). Also during this time, the program area for work in East Asia was reorganized into the working group East Asia that included Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This organizational change lasted until the 1978-1980 biennium when the East Asia working group was split into to areas: Japan and the China Area, which included Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. The mission work in which TALC partnered with churches in these regions was primarily in urban settings. These settings combined with the political uncertainty that existed in many regions in East Asia presented the indigenous churches in East Asia with substantial challenges for their varied missions. During the middle 1970s the churches in Taiwan and Hong Kong both set target dates in the early 1980s for financial self-reliance.

Work in the Hong Kong and Taiwan continued to focus on evangelism, education, and health care. TALC missionaries served in a variety of capacities including faculty on the International Christian University in Taiwan as well as two TALC missionaries serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hong Kong (ELCHK) and working in the English Teaching Program. During the 1974-1976 TALC also began providing financial assistance to the Midwest China Resource Study Center. This center, located on the campus of Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, provided resources and personnel for the study and understanding of development in China and how these developments relate to the church. From 1976-1978 work in Hong Kong included assisting with programs in communications, education, social service, leadership training, and evangelism. DWMIC also provided grants to establish a social service center and for production of films used for media ministry. In Taiwan DWMIC assisted TLC in programs related to communications, evangelism, leadership training, and health care.

After the United States normalized relations with the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC), the DWMIC sought to develop a cooperative mission effort with the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) and its Division for World Mission and Ecumenism (DWME). Both churches formed the Joint Committee on the Peoples' Republic of China which would work on the behalf of both churches in regard to developing programs and plans as the related to China.

Throughout the 1980s mission work in Hong Kong and Taiwan was principally enabling churches to evangelize in the community. Missionaries were deployed in the areas of health care, education, evangelism, and leadership training. In the areas of communications and social concerns, financial assistance was provided Financial assistance was given to the Midwest China Resource Study Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to this work, TALC also partnered with the LCA in it China work by sponsoring teachers to work in China teaching English. Teachers were to be assigned to various places by the Amity Foundation, an organization created by Chinese Christians.

From the description of Correspondence and Subject Files 1949-1988 1981-1988 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 229459666