wfn.org | ELCA Bishops Support Presiding Bishop's LWF Nomination

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 13, 2003

ELCA BISHOPS SUPPORT PRESIDING BISHOP'S LWF NOMINATION
03-046-JB

     CHARLESTON, S.C. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) appeared to support the
nomination of the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, for a six-
year term as president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).	An
election will take place in July when the LWF assembly is held in
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
     The ELCA is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop.
The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church,
consisting of the church's 65 synod bishops, ELCA presiding bishop and
ELCA secretary.  The conference met here March 6-11.
     Hanson was selected as the nominee for the North American region
by delegates who met in January in Denver to make plans for the LWF
assembly.  Additional nominees for the post will be named in other
regional consultations throughout the world leading up to the Winnipeg
assembly.
     The LWF, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global communion of
136 Lutheran churches in 76 countries.	LWF membership includes 61.7
million of the world's 65.4 million Lutherans. The ELCA is an LWF
member.
     If elected, Hanson said he will remain in his call as ELCA
presiding bishop. The LWF president serves as a volunteer.  According to
the LWF constitution the president serves as the chief official
representative and spokesperson of the Federation; chairs meetings of
the LWF assembly, council and executive committee; and oversees the life
and work of the Federation in consultation with the treasurer and
general secretary.
     Hanson admitted he was originally reluctant to allow his name to
be considered for nomination but changed his mind after several
discussions with church staff and leaders. When the ELCA Church Council,
the church's board of directors, meets in April in Chicago, members must
formalize Hanson's nomination, he said.  In his comments here to the
Conference of Bishops, Hanson said he wanted to hear their "wisdom"
about the nomination and its ramifications.
     "I have been involved in a lot of conversations with Geneva to
make this a do-able dual call" if elected, he told the bishops.  Hanson
also expressed concern about the increased work load for the staff in
the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop should he be elected.
     "Your election would be a tremendous gift to the church," said the
Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod,
Waverly.
     "I am thankful for your 'reluctant willingness' to do this," said
the Rev. April Ulring Larson, bishop of the ELCA La Crosse Area Synod,
La Crosse, Wis.
     If elected, Hanson's LWF position offers bishops a "great
opportunity to teach our church about our connectedness to the church
catholic," said the Rev. Paul J. Blom, bishop of the ELCA Texas-
Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Houston.
     The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota
Synod, Sioux Falls, suggested that Hanson could seek leadership help
from other global Lutheran churches as LWF president.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html