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Lutheran bishop voices concerns over church ambivalence, calls for leadership
April 19, 2004
CHICAGO--Most church members don't begin their day ready to "share the good news of Jesus Christ," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) told the ELCA council. Neither are church members talking with children about Jesus, Hanson said.
According to an ELCA News release Hanson voiced his concerns about church ambivalence during a meeting of the council. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies.
Hanson asked if Lutherans are ambivalent about being Lutheran or ambivalent about what the Lutheran "theology of the cross" means in a culture preoccupied with possessions, power and authority.
"Many in this church themselves aren't ambivalent about being Lutheran. They just suspect the rest of us of being ambivalent, especially those of us in leadership," Hanson said.
"If there is a growing sense of ambivalence, what do we do in leadership?" Hanson asked.
Hanson suggested one key answer to ambivalence is to "unabashedly declare the Easter story of the Resurrection."
Hanson also suggested a series of answers to his own questions:
·
build relationships within the church;·
"tenaciously resist the temptation to exert domination in our global relationships" and "accompany" others;·
lead boldly;·
listen to God's Word;·
"resolutely declare" that the ELCA's commitments for implementation of its mission and vision statements permeate the organization;·
work creatively andcontinuously to communicate with people within this church;·
and pray for renewal of the ELCA and for renewal of creation."In the face of growing ambivalence, we grow in God's amazing grace," Hanson said. He expressed gratitude to God for the church and appreciation for the council, churchwide staff and his colleagues in leadership.
"I am absolutely convinced we are a church that is blessed," he said. "For all of this, I say thanks be to God. Yet, amidst my thanksgiving Â… I am left to wonder."
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