Archived Monthly Column in "The Lutheran"

Messages from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

2013

• April 2013: Sent by Spirit to neighbors Raised up, Jesus opens way of life and takes us along
• March 2013: Questions worth considering Expectations, distinctions, joy, uncertainty all key
• February 2013: We are all theologians Be attentive, curious, disciplined, conversant
• January 2013: Always being made new ELCA anniversary not about the past but the future

2012

• December 2012: There's always room with God Securing shelter, safety, belonging works two ways
• November 2012: Time for evangelical witness We must talk about heart of our faith in accessible ways
• October 2012: Always being made new Feast for famished is bread of life, Jesus the Christ
• September 2012: Miles apart, same living faith Youth Gathering, church proclaim Christ, serve others
• August 2012: Youth look to aid vulnerable Test how we follow Jesus' embrace of poor, outcasts
• July 2012: Sharing humanity with poor Then we can see in others the created image of God
• June 2012: Hope in the midst of suffering Luther urged living, daring confidence in God's grace
• May 2012: A voice of prophetic truth ELCA can be a sign of grace, hope, healing
• April 2012: News too good not to share Jesus' death, resurrection puts us in the thick of life
• March 2012: Message merits going viral  Faith community gathers in love to serve neighbors
• February 2012: Finding our place during Lent   Time for repentance, return to life and roots
• January 2012: Church unity found in Jesus May we be as varied as the first followers

2011

• December 2011: No ambivalence in this story Jesus is the Yes pronounced upon God's promises
• November 2011: Christ's church, not ours Being welcomed needs to be lived out in relationships
• October 2011: Cause for hope, gratitude Daring confidence in God's grace, sharing it with world
• September 2011: Ready to be moved by Spirit ELCA clear about who it is, mission for life of the world
• August 2011: 'Living Lutheran' today What's your language of faith in this diverse culture?
• July 2011: God's household of freedom Christ liberates us for lives of generous, loving service
• June 2011: Christ present in challenges Be confident the Spirit renews our faith and witness
• May 2011: People of the resurrection World waits for messengers of the good news
• April 2011: Freed in Christ to serve A mark of the life of the baptized
• March 2011: Struggle to serve the word God promises power of the Spirit as witness of Christ
• February 2011: Faith amid the silence God comes to us through the cross
• January 2011: Great expectations Coming years rest on living word and living it out

2010

• December 2010: Advent readings focus us We see more clearly the past, present and future 
• November 2010: Days of timidity are over Church confident, bold, courageous through Spirit
• October 2010: Our gospel must be Jesus Competing messages blur freedom found in Christ
• September 2010: Diverse but united LWF deepens commitment to being one communion
• August 2010: Freedom rings in the word We find truth about selves, both bad and good news
• July 2010: Give public service its due while engaging in respectful policy debate, dissent
• June 2010: Gather 'round the camping season. This summer, bring home what many value about outdoor ministry
• May 2010: The strangers among us. What message might God send in these people?
• April 2010: Glimpses of unity, Trek renews relationships in body of Christ 
• March 2010: A test and a witness. Faith front & center in response to Haiti 
• February 2010: Grappling with technology. Communication tools can bear good, bad fruit
• January 2010: More than just daily bread. Seven words of Lord's Prayer remarkably comprehensive

2009

• December 2009: Addressing our restlessness. God does the unexpected: A Savior is born 
• November 2009: Living in joy and gratitude. Perseverance, mercy flow from Jesus
• October 2009: What will be our testimony? Forgiveness, peace found in risen Christ
• September 2009: Called into one body. Assembly decision demands time together
• August 2009: A living hope. Assembly should bring us together
• July 2009: Jazzed up for gathering. Support ELCA youth bound for New Orleans
• June 2009: Seizing an opportunity. Economic crisis gives chance to share God's generosity, faithfulness
• May 2009: Faith practices in the making. Shared activities addressing needs form way of life
• April 2009: Learning to Pray Never Stops. Think of it as a positive and as a practice
• March 2009: Witnessing in troubled times. A call for evangelical missional imagination
• February 2009: Jesus Is with Us Always. Trust in Christ's promise during anxious times
• January 2009: Fraudulent privilege. Respect missing for those on margins

2008

• December 2008: Thriving in a pluralistic world. ELCA is evangelical, missional in its witness 
• November 2008: Communal Repentance, Dying, rising with Christ no heroic individual quest
• October 2008: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, God's work. Our hands
• September 2008: Biblical fluency, Book of Faith 'not simply another' Bible study
• August 2008: Putting faith on the line, Presidential candidates are urged to take action
• July 2008: Growing together, Listen and learn from one another
• June 2008: Spiritual vs. religious, Hope found in role of emerging churches
• May 2008: In creation, find hope, God in, above, outside all things
• April 2008: Acting our age, God uses people in all stages of life
• March 2008: God crosses borders, Remember the biblical stories
• February 2008: Waters of life, Precious gift, human necessity
• January 2008: The genetics challenge, Our role in stewarding God's gift of life