INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The. Rev. Mark S. Hanson, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Saint Paul Area Synod, St. Paul, Minn., took the lead after the fourth ballot for presiding bishop of the ELCA. 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 synods, presiding bishop and secretary -- is second.
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."
Hanson received 448 votes -- 43.3 percent -- of 1,035 votes cast. McCoid received 362 votes -- 35 percent share of the vote. McCoid moved from first to second-place position on this ballot. Sixty percent (or 621 votes) was needed for election.
The Rev. James A. Nestingen, professor of church history, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., received 225 votes -- 21.7 percent share of the vote. The top two vote-getters -- Hanson and McCoid -- will appear on the fifth and final ballot Aug. 11.
The ballot itself was preceded by a period of questions and answers. The nominees responded to a series of questions, such as identifying short-term and long-term vision goals for the ELCA; cultivation of leadership and decision-making; perception of ecumenism and unity; and the role of justice in the church.
"I envision that we will be what we once were a missionary church in a missionary context, so centered in the proclamation of the Word and the administration of Sacrament that give life to the people of this church," Hanson said. "I sense within the ELCA an awakening desire among laity and clergy and rostered lay folks alike to learn how to encourage others to invite people into the faith," he said.
"Word and Sacrament certainly distinguishes us for ministry," said McCoid. "Any vision would need to be grounded in our understanding of the presence of God. One of the most important things we need to have now is dialogue to look at the differences and opportunities for lifting up Word and Sacrament, and what it means to be together."
"Ecumenism, properly speaking, is ecstatic. That is, standing outside of ourselves and discovering what's really there. Hardly anything can be more fun," said Nestingen.
"I acknowledge that I have been a critic of ecumenism in the ELCA, primarily because I come from a different school, and sometimes have had to make a little noise to draw attention to the fact that there can be different approaches to ecumenism," Nestingen added. "If I were to be called bishop of this church, I would have to honor its policies whether or not I agree with them," he said.
An initial vote by assembly voting members on the fourth ballot was nullified, because of an error with the voting equipment. Voting members voted a second time. -- -- --
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
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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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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Candice Hill Buchbinder
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