FINLAND & PALESTINE Proceedings of a Joint Workshop

also tries to keep these organizations between the ecumenical
and theological lines that the ELCF has accepted.
The General Synod of the ELCF has granted the status of
"mission organization of the church" to seven different
NGOs. Except for FELM, they represent, mainly, the conservative
side of church member body. A couple of them are very
critical of ELCF policies, such as the women priesthood.
In general, all of these organizations, even though they are "organizations
of the church" can, and do, act completely independently.
They have their governing bodies and finances outside
the control of CIR. Some, as FELM and Bible SoCiety, follow,
fairly well, the guidelines of CIR; some are less obedient.
Six of those organizations have, or have had, personnel in the
Middle East. Only LEAF (Lutheran Evangelical Association in
Finland) has not. As far as I know, all others, except FELM,
have not had any kind of official relations to any of the established
churches in Middle East. 3
4. International Diaconia; FCA
The Finn Church Aid was, until recently, an office of the CIR, but,
now, it is a foundation owned by ELCF. As such, it is still closely
linked to CIR, but it has its own structure of organization.
FCA working in the Middle East focuses on the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, and other countries, that are strongly affected
by massive population movements caused by famine
and wars.
Current projects in Syria and Lebanon improve health and livelihood,
and support refugees, by training professionals to
care for the victims of torture and conflict.
3 www.evl. fi
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