ELCA Presiding Bishop-Elect Addresses Churchwide Staff

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Saying he comes to his new call as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) "in a spirit of gratitude and hope," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson addressed some 400 members of the churchwide staff Sept. 5 for the first time since his election.
Hanson, bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod, was elected Aug. 11 at the 2001 Churchwide Assembly in Indianapolis. He will be installed in his new position Oct. 6, and will assume the role of presiding bishop Nov. 1. Hanson, 54, will succeed the Rev. H. George Anderson, who will conclude his six-year term Oct. 31.
Anderson, who met with the churchwide staff Sept. 5 to report on actions of the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, invited Hanson to address his new colleagues.
"I come to this call with deep gratitude to God because we have a God who is faithful to God's promise," Hanson said. "I live each day claiming the promise of God's faithfulness to each one of us as God has bound himself to us in the waters of baptism. That gives me a great sense of gratitude."
Hanson thanked Anderson for his six years of service as presiding bishop, pointing out the "incredible legacy" he has left for the church. Hanson cited Anderson's accomplishments in building ecumenical relationships and focusing attention on the church's concern for people living in poverty. He also thanked other ELCA staff and leaders who previously announced they will retire or leave the churchwide organization later this year and early in 2002.
The ELCA is a church with "a sense of urgency for God's mission, not a sense of anxiety," he said. People in today's society are searching for meaning and hope, and are eager to "stop the rat race" and bring families back together, Hanson said.
"We know something about the bread that satisfies that hunger," he said. "It is Jesus the Christ, the bread of life."
The membership of the ELCA must become more diverse, reflecting the culture in which it serves, or its importance may be greatly diminished, Hanson said. The presiding bishop-elect said that for some of the church's 5.15-million members, there is a "disconnect" with the churchwide staff in Chicago. Communication and clarification will help bridge that gap, he suggested. Hanson also said he will spend the next 18 months visiting all 65 synods of the ELCA.
Hanson was elected on the fifth ballot for bishop, 533-499 over the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. Hanson said the close vote is not a sign of a divided church, but signifies "a very balanced church." Disagreements and "lively debates" in the ELCA are a sign of a healthy church, he added.
"I will enter this churchwide office remembering that it is God's mission for which I'm being called, not mine," Hanson said in an interview with ELCA News & Information. The church is "greatly gifted for the sake of that mission," and it has a rich history and bright future, he said.
"I am coming to a position where the church has articulated its priorities as evangelical witness, the ending of poverty and the raising up of leaders -- and keeping that in the forefront," Hanson said. "I hope to bring a sense of urgency for mission, but also a willingness to listen."
Since he was elected presiding bishop, Hanson said he and his wife, Ione, have been talking with their family about the "feelings and realities" of moving to the Chicago area. Five of the Hansons' six children, plus a grandchild, are living at home, he said. Ione Hanson has a leadership position in two Twin Cities' hospitals.
Hanson said he's spent considerable time in the past three weeks listening to leaders in the churchwide organization and other Lutheran leaders.
Anderson, 69, said because of his active travel schedule, he has many more friends around the church than when he began serving as presiding bishop in 1995.
"I've also learned an immense amount about all of the things that the church does," Anderson told ELCA News. "I don't think anyone realizes how many activities and ministries the church carries on both here and abroad."
"It (serving as presiding bishop) has broadened my whole understanding of how God can use human beings, all of whom, like me, are not perfect," he added. "But God uses them and gets the work done, and that's been a great gift to see." -- -- --
Details about Bishop Hanson's Oct. 6 installation can be found at http://www.elca.org/installation on the Web.

More information about Bishop Hanson can be found at http://www.elca.org/ob/hanson.html on the ELCA's Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html