Hanson delivers final report as ELCA presiding bishop

     ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- In his final report to the Conference of
Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) the Rev.
Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the 4-million-member church, said
several initiatives underway in the denomination will have a “significant
impact on the future of this church.” One such initiative is the ELCA’s
conversation with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on the
possibility of the “Declaration in Via” -- declaration on a path to unity.
     Meeting here Oct. 3-8, the ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory
body of the church that includes 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop
and secretary. The Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana
Synod, chairs the conference.
     Hanson told the conference Oct. 4 that a “quiet conversation”
between a small group of U.S. Catholics and ELCA theologians, which will
center on ministry, Eucharist and study of the Christian church
(ecclesiology), will hopefully culminate in a declaration to be shared
with The Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican by 2017, the year in
which Lutherans worldwide will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the
Reformation. The federation is a global communion of 143 member churches
in 79 countries worldwide. The ELCA is the communion’s only member church
from the United States.
     In 1999, Lutheran and Catholic leaders signed the Joint Declaration
on doctrine of Justification -- a significant achievement in the history
of Christian ecumenical relations. Signed by representatives of
Federation and the Catholic Church in Augsburg, Germany, the agreement
declares that The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church have
reached a common understanding on justification, agreeing that believers
are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.
     “Two things to remember about the [declaration] are the seeds, that
gave life to that, were planted in a quiet dialogue in the United States.
Similarly, [today] we are testing a new conversation, planting those
seeds and harvesting them,” Hanson told the conference.
     “In my first visit to the Vatican and meeting Pope John Paul II, I
shared that as long as I have breath … I will work tirelessly until we
experience our unity at the table of the Eucharist. It is the vision, the
gift and the task that is ours,” he said, adding that the Rev. Elizabeth
A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop-elect, has encouraged Hanson to continue
in this dialogue on behalf of this church.
     Other significant initiatives before the church include the first
meeting of a committee on ecclesiology, which is charged with leading the
ELCA in a conversation about “how we understanding the nature and purpose
of this church.”
     “How do we understand God’s thought and purpose of creating this
living body we call this church, and what does God have in mind for us?”
he asked.
     Among the initiatives, Hanson cited this church’s conversation on
theological education, and “how will we raise, form and support leaders
for the future of this church -- not just pastors, but leadership broadly
and widely understood as a shared communal call.”
     The presiding bishop also cited conversations with the U.S. Jewish
community to establish “new norms for how we are in relationship,”
considering differences and opportunities.
     Another initiative underway is the work of a steering committee of
the ELCA’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign approved by the 2013
ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh this past summer. Hanson said that
members of the steering committee are an “amazing gathering of people who
love this church and see in this campaign” the priorities that ELCA
members are “passionate about, as we continue to move forward.”
     As he approaches the conclusion of his term, Hanson said there
remains some “unfinished business,” citing this church’s renewed resolve
in its engagement in the Middle East through the Peace Not Walls
campaign, as well as mission funding.
     Hanson’s second six-year term as ELCA presiding bishop will conclude
Oct. 31. Eaton, bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod, will be
installed as ELCA presiding bishop Oct. 5 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
in Chicago and will take office Nov. 1. She was elected at the 2013 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly.
     “The privilege of serving as presiding bishop has been beyond
measure,” Hanson told the ELCA Conference of Bishops at the conclusion of
his report. “These have not been 12 easy years. We have experienced
diminished resources, declining membership … and yet, none of that has
diminished the deep reservoir of joy that I have found in this calling,
[and] the joy of serving the gospel.”
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations
across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church
of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God
through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the
world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church
reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper, Manager of Public Relations
773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org
http://www.ELCA.org/news
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