Western     Mission         Network

WESTERN MISSION NETWORK

A Structure for a Collaborative Interdependent Network of ELCA Providers in the Western Mission Cluster 
(Adopted by participants at the Western Mission Cluster Consultation IV
meeting at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, AZ, January 19, 2002

Name: 

The name of this expression of the Western Mission Cluster shall be:  The "Western Mission Network" 

Purpose: 

To effectively deliver the educational resources of the church through its institutions and agencies to the rostered leaders and congregations of Regions 1, 2, and 3 for the purpose of training missional leaders and equipping all of God’s people for ministry in daily life.

Coordinating Committee:

A nine member coordinating committee will be made up of one representative from the following: the ELCA Division for Ministry; an ELCA college in each of the three regions in the Western Mission Cluster (Regions 1, 2, and 3); Luther Seminary; Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; one continuing education center/program; Lutheran campus ministry; and a synod staff person from one of the twenty synods in the regions of the Western Mission Cluster. The board will elect a Chair and Recording Secretary from among its own membership. Terms of office are for two years, staggered, and renewable. The ELCA Director for Leadership Support will serve as the staff advisor to the board and provide support staff as deemed necessary and appropriate.

Coordinating Committee Meetings and Communication:

1. The committee will meet face to face once a year (usually at an annual WMC Consultation)..
2. The committee will hold at least two conference call meetings a year and establish a website and/or email list serve for ongoing communication between committee members an institutions.
3. The committee will prepare an annual report and/or newsletter to be distributed to all ELCA learning partners.
4. The committee will maintain a relationship withthe ELCA Lifelong Learning Partners, the Ministry in Daily Life Advisory Committee, and the synods of Regions 1, 2 and 3.
5. The committee will communicate with the Western Mission Cluster seminary governing structure, the Theological Education Coordinating Committee (TECC), and the Ministry in Daily Life Network, including the Faith and Life Forum Board.

Responsibilities of the Coordinating Committee:

1. To plan an annual Consultation of partners in the Western Mission Network.
2. To explore funding sources for conducting the work of the Coordinating Committee, Network projects, and opportunity for Consultations of the larger network of institutions in the Western Mission Network.
3. To establish and support collaborative projects among partner institutions and the ELCA.
4. To coordinate distant learning opportunities that make theological education more accessible to Lutherans and their ecumenical partners in the West.
5. To share ideas and resources among providers and explore cooperative educational ventures between schools.
6. To conduct an annual review/evaluation of the effectiveness and viability of the network.

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