wfn.org | ELCA Council Hears New Presiding Bishop's Concerns, Reflections

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 12, 2001

ELCA COUNCIL HEARS NEW PRESIDING BISHOP'S CONCERNS, REFLECTIONS
01-288-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11,
people are experiencing a time of "searching questions" and "haunting
fears," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Hanson also said members
of the ELCA have remained "rooted in our baptismal calling as Christ's
people."
     Hanson made the comments in his first report to the ELCA Church
Council, which met here Nov. 9-11.  The council is the ELCA's board of
directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between
its churchwide assemblies. Assemblies are held every other year; the
next is Aug. 11-17, 2003, in Milwaukee.
     Hanson began a six-year term as presiding bishop Nov. 1.
     The events that occurred Sept. 11 changed the climate and context
in which Lutherans are called to do ministry, Hanson said.
     "We now live in a time of searching questions as people ask about
the presence of God, the reality of evil and the suffering and death of
innocent people," he said.  Hanson compared today's questions to the
questions the disciples asked of Jesus before his ascension.
     "We are also surrounded by haunting fears," he said.  "Opening and
envelope can bring an end to life."  He compared today's fears to the
fears of the disciples when Jesus was crucified, wondering if they too
faced a similar fate.
     Jesus' answer to questions and fears was a command with words of
promise, Hanson said.  "'Receive the Holy Spirit,' Jesus said.  Our
ministry is grounded in the command to be God's witnesses," Hanson said.
     The experience and aftermath of Sept. 11 has taught the ELCA a
great deal about itself,  he said.  Hanson focused on five
characteristics of the ELCA:
     + A worshiping church: "People have flocked to our congregations
to hear the Good News," he said.
     + A praying church:  People have been unified in prayer, he said.
     + A witnessing church: The church stands "humbly together" and has
helped sustain Lutherans in the metropolitan New York area, Hanson said.
     + A gifted and giving church: The church has responded generously
to people in crisis both domestically and internationally, he said.
     + A discerning church: ELCA members are called to "moral
deliberation" as we discern an appropriate response to terrorism and
other dangers that threaten the word. Hanson said.
     In his report, Hanson commented on the church's mission in the
world.
     "My mantra is that we will always have to hold in tension three
things," he said.  "They are scripture, scripture within the context of
the church and the context outside the church, and strategic thinking."
     Hanson said he wants to move from good planning in the ELCA to
developing an overall strategic plan for mission.  Hanson said he hoped
to bring such a plan to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
     "I'm interested in leading a church that is focused and has
determined what kind of organization it needs, he said.
     Among his chief concerns is the four-year study of homosexuality
mandated by the 2001 Churchwide Assembly.  Completing the study and
building trust, while not having it "consume" the church for four years
is important, he said.
     For the first two months of his term, Hanson will meet with
employees in churchwide units and listen, he said.  After that, he will
begin a series of visits to the 65 synods of the ELCA, "listening and
articulating a vision for church," he said.
     Hanson introduced to the council his new executive administrative
assistant, Liza Egekeze.  She formerly was employed as a coordinator for
the Europe and Asia team in the ELCA Division for Global Mission.  She
succeeds Patricia Hoyt, who retired when the Rev. H. George Anderson,
former ELCA presiding bishop, completed his six-year term Oct. 31.

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