ELCA – Making Christ Known

SHARING FAITH In A New Century

(Seventh Churchwide Assembly)

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson Elected Presiding Bishop

Voting members elected the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, 54, presiding bishop of the ELCA on the fifth ballot Aug. 11.  Hanson is presently bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod, a position in which he has served since 1995, and is vice chair of the Conference of Bishops.  Hanson was elected 533-499 over the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA South-western Pennsylvania Synod and chair of the Conference of Bishops.   “I do not regard this as an election won but a call received,” Hanson said in his brief address to the assembly after the election.  “Thank you for this holy calling.  I accept it with grace and gratitude.”  Hanson and his wife, Ione, are parents to six children.

Evangelism, Ministry Strategies Adopted

      Voting members adopted a new evangelism strategy for the next decade and heard a report on the strategy for the previous 10 years.  The resolution provides guidance to Lutherans to “Clarify their sense of purpose and mission, seek new ways to be open to innovation and change, and share new or existing evangelism plans with the whole church prior to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.”

      One amendment called for establishment of a “Blue Ribbon” task force by 1/3/02, to develop a comprehensive evangelism strategy for presentation and possible action at the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

      The assembly adopted a Latino Ministry Strategy by an overwhelming vote Aug. 11.   Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic group in ELCA congregations.  The assembly also adopted a ministry strategy to reach out to Asian and Pacific Islanders, by recommitting the ELCA to partnership with existing Asian and Pacific Islander congregations, intensifying outreach with the Gospel among the Asian  and Pacific Islander communities.