INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was honored Thursday with the Servus Dei Medal at the ELCA's churchwide assembly. The award honors retiring ELCA officials, a tradition from predecessor church bodies.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
Anderson has served as ELCA presiding bishop for six years. His term began Nov. 1, 1995, and will conclude Oct. 31. Voting members will elect a new presiding bishop at the assembly.
Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president, presented the Servus Dei award to Anderson. The bishop provided "visionary leadership and hearty encouragement" to Lutherans, the vice president said.
"He has shown courage in the face of difficulties, insight in the midst of change and a willingness to engage in conscientious service amid the diverse and heavy burdens of the office," Butler said.
The Servus Dei Medal measures about five inches in diameter. One side depicts Christ and various Christian symbols such as a fish and loaves of bread, which represent service. The other side bears Anderson's name and years in office.
Voting members gave Anderson and wife Jutta a standing ovation. The bishop thanked ELCA members and his wife for "the many miles we've traveled together."
Anderson is a published author on Lutheran history. He was on the faculty at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., and served as that school's president. At the time of his election, he was president of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. -- -- --
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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 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities 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.
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