Report of the presiding bishop P
Hanson upbeat, confident of ELCA’s future
residing Bishop Mark S. Hanson challenged the denomination to launch 100 congregations a year for the next five years as a great way to recognize the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. “We are a church with clarity about who we are and about our shared commitment to being engaged in God’s mission for the life of the world,” Hanson said in his report to the Churchwide Assembly. “We are a church called to multiply, not divide.” (See page 50.)
In a 4,200-word address perhaps more sermon than speech, Hanson struck repeatedly at the assembly theme “Freed in Christ to Serve.” “We are Lutherans. That means
that we are evangelical,” he said. “At the heart of who we are is the good news that in Christ we are free. Did you hear that? Do you believe that?” ... Oh, yes, but in Christ, you are not only bound to be free, you are also freed to be bound—bound to God through faith, bound to God’s cre- ation as stewards, bound to the world as peacemaker and justice seeker.” Citing ELCA membership at more than 4.2 million, Hanson said each member defines what it means to “live Lutheran.” “In a culture and world where lines are constantly being drawn in the sand—now even set in con- crete—lines that divide, exclude and demean, to ‘live Lutheran’ means to embody the message and ministry of reconciliation that God entrusts to us,” Hanson said. “Particularly at this time when we are so preoccupied with economic indicators and political infighting, to ‘live Lutheran’ is to heed the words
of Martin Luther: ‘We should learn well how to please Christ. We do please him by ded- icating our entire life … solely to the service of our neighbor.’ ”
Hanson hailed congregations that welcome immi- grants into their community, say- ing to newcomers, “There is a place for you here.” Acknowledg-
ing actions taken by 39 synods this past spring, he said of “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and all who are verbally battered by the bitter winds of bullying, ‘Not in this church, for there is a place for you here, child of God.’ ”
Hanson added, “I so appreciate being in a church where members can bring up topics for discussion [such as in social statements]. Let us show the world that dialogue is both possible and expected in this church. There is room for voices that repre- sent faith without rushing to judg- ment and closing down discussion.” He also singled out relief efforts by the church around the country and globe, the just-approved ELCA Malaria Campaign, and the creation of new congregations from those that have left the ELCA the past two years.
“Friends, in a culture that offers so many competing and compelling
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson leads the opening worship service at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Fla.
answers to the questions ‘what is the good life?’ and ‘what is a life well- lived?’ we have a story to tell, a story to live, a story that changes lives,” he said. “It is a story you know well, the story of Jesus Christ. It is the story of the abundant life that comes to you in Christ purely out of God’s tender mercy.
“I am absolutely convinced that
there are people you know, with whom you work or go to school, or meet in your neighborhood who are ready to hear an invitation to share [in Martin Luther’s words] this ‘living daring confidence in God’s grace.’ ”
To read the full text of Hanson’s report go to
www.thelutheran.org/feature/ september.
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