ELCA Assembly Meets with the Seven Nominees for Presiding Bishop

INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Voting members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly engaged the seven remaining nominees for ELCA presiding bishop in a special question-and- answer forum on Aug. 9.
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."
The proposal for a question-and-answer forum was adopted Aug. 8 by the assembly. The forum preceded the third ballot scheduled to take place the morning of Aug. 10.
The nominees fielded 19 questions from voting members ranging from understanding the Lutheran confessions in light of ecumenical endeavors to identifying methods of fostering trust in the church, from describing administrative styles to articulating the role of social ministry in the church. Nominees were also asked to share vacation experiences.
The seven nominees are:
+ The Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, and chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, an advisory body of the church's 65 synod bishops, presiding bishop and secretary;
+ The Rev. James A. Nestingen, professor of church history, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.;
+ The Rev. Peter Rogness, bishop of the ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod;
+ The Rev. April C. Ulring Larson, bishop of the ELCA LaCrosse Area Synod, LaCrosse, Wis.;
+ The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod;
+ The Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, Chicago;
+ The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod, Sioux Falls, S.D.
When asked to explore an understanding of "confessions in light of the ecumenical theology of the Lutheran church," particularly in light of "Called to Common Mission" -- an agreement of full communion between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church -- McCoid said, "The Lutheran Church is a reforming movement in the Church catholic. We know that the reformers lifted up clearly ... what it means to be part of that church, always looking to see how we might speak a word of justification by grace through faith and always understanding [the] contributions we make."
"I think the issue of trust is one of the most critical we are facing," said Rogness in response to another question. "We are a young church. I think we need to attend to the ways we relate to each other both structurally and programmatically," he said. "We need to find more ways to cross-fertilize and intersect with each other and discern together how we might live as one church, energetically in mission," Rogness added.
Describing administrative characteristics, DeGroot-Nesdahl highlighted "collaboration" as a key to her style. She said, "We have instituted in our synod council and in our office practices an opportunity for all of us to engage in decision-making. And, for all of us to be a part of vision [setting], planning and strategizing together for the work of the synod. I often consult with pastors and lay leaders .. to offer their opinion and ideas."
In fielding a question about the role of rostered lay people in the ELCA, Hanson said, "We have undervalued rostered lay people in our desire to be a missional church." He added that the church should focus on the gifts it has provided and "match lay gifts with the needs of churches and communities."
"We get stuck when we confine ourselves to legal authority. The fun begins when the Scripture gets loose," said Nestingen when asked about the "authority of the Lutheran confessions." Nestingen noted the difference between legal authority, which is one of conformity, and evangelical authority, which consists of giving away and bestowing.
When asked about the church's growth in finances and decline in membership, Bullock said, "We evangelize for mission, not for money."
In response to a separate question, Bullock said, "When [my] daughter was three years old, we were flipping through a Bible that had pictures along side text. [My] daughter said, 'Mommy, where am I?' She needed to see herself in the story. We should not take for granted that just because [children] were baptized in the church ... that they should not continue to see themselves in the story."
The ELCA is "known as having the finest global mission department in the world," said Larson. She suggested that the church can learn from others around the world about evangelism. Larson responded to a question about the church's global mission efforts.
Dale V. Sandstrom, Bismarck, N.D., member of the ELCA Church Council, moderated the forum. -- -- --
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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