CHARLESTON, S.C. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) appeared to support the nomination of the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, for a six- year term as president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). An election will take place in July when the LWF assembly is held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The ELCA is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop. The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church, consisting of the church's 65 synod bishops, ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA secretary. The conference met here March 6-11.
Hanson was selected as the nominee for the North American region by delegates who met in January in Denver to make plans for the LWF assembly. Additional nominees for the post will be named in other regional consultations throughout the world leading up to the Winnipeg assembly.
The LWF, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global communion of 136 Lutheran churches in 76 countries. LWF membership includes 61.7 million of the world's 65.4 million Lutherans. The ELCA is an LWF member.
If elected, Hanson said he will remain in his call as ELCA presiding bishop. The LWF president serves as a volunteer. According to the LWF constitution the president serves as the chief official representative and spokesperson of the Federation; chairs meetings of the LWF assembly, council and executive committee; and oversees the life and work of the Federation in consultation with the treasurer and general secretary.
Hanson admitted he was originally reluctant to allow his name to be considered for nomination but changed his mind after several discussions with church staff and leaders. When the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors, meets in April in Chicago, members must formalize Hanson's nomination, he said. In his comments here to the Conference of Bishops, Hanson said he wanted to hear their "wisdom" about the nomination and its ramifications.
"I have been involved in a lot of conversations with Geneva to make this a do-able dual call" if elected, he told the bishops. Hanson also expressed concern about the increased work load for the staff in the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop should he be elected.
"Your election would be a tremendous gift to the church," said the Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, Waverly.
"I am thankful for your 'reluctant willingness' to do this," saidD the Rev. April Ulring Larson, bishop of the ELCA La Crosse Area Synod, La Crosse, Wis.
If elected, Hanson's LWF position offers bishops a "great opportunity to teach our church about our connectedness to the church catholic," said the Rev. Paul J. Blom, bishop of the ELCA Texas- Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Houston.
The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod, Sioux Falls, suggested that Hanson could seek leadership help from other global Lutheran churches as LWF president.
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.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
