ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 13, 2009  

ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Leadership, Financial Issues
09-257-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a wide-ranging report Nov. 13 to the Church
Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev.
Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop called for "strong leadership" from
council members.  At the same time, he addressed a proposed 10 percent
cut in the churchwide organization's 2010 current fund spending plan
which, if approved, will reduce funding for ministries and eliminate
several staff positions.
     "I can say with all confidence that this church has never in my nine
years as presiding needed the strong leadership of the Church Council as
much as we need leadership from you now," he told the council.
     "These have been very painful days in this organization," he told
the council.
     The presiding bishop reported that "over 40 people" were informed
that their jobs may be eliminated by council action to reduce the budget
this weekend.
     Some of the people who have been informed about their jobs have been
with the ELCA since it was founded in 1988.  Most have been "amazingly
gracious" in receiving the news.
     Hanson attributed the need for the budget reduction to 30-year
downward trends in giving that have affected all denominations, the
struggling U.S. economy and the actions of some ELCA congregations to
withhold or redirect mission support funds.
     Some congregations have decided to withhold funds to register their
disagreement with the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  The
assembly, which met Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis, adopted proposals to
change ELCA ministry policies. One change makes it possible for Lutherans
in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships
to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and diaconal
ministers.
     The proposed budget reductions impact "personnel, programs and
(ecumenical and global) partners," Hanson said.  "However one analyzes the
contributing factors, the consequences are the same: Mission is
diminished. Unity is strained. Lives are impacted. And faith is tested."
     He added that churchwide organization is not recalling missionaries
or cutting seminary grants, and will sustain or increase its commitment to
establish new congregations.
     Hanson cited portions of Roman 5 in his report, saying he often
refers to that chapter in challenging situations.  In particular, he
noted a portion of verse 5: "God's love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."  Hanson said he is
concerned that because of differences that exist among some leaders and
members on ministry policies, people are retreating into "like-minded
enclaves to reinforce the strength of their convictions and the clarity
that those not in the room are wrong."
     "The Holy Spirit poured out upon us, calls us, moves us toward one
another in times such as these rather than into retreat and withdrawal
into like-minded enclaves," he said.
     Hanson also noted that there are people in the church who are
rejoicing about the ministry policy decisions "because new possibilities
are open for ministry."
     Based on "leader to leader" conversations, the presiding bishop said
ELCA global companion churches are not necessarily distancing themselves
from the ELCA because of the ministry policy decisions.  For example,
Hanson said at the recent Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council meeting
near Geneva, Switzerland, he spoke with leaders of the Ethiopian
Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and the Malagasy Lutheran Church.  Both
said their churches don't agree with the ELCA decisions, Hanson said, but
indicated they don't plan to step away from the ELCA. Instead, the church
leaders said there must be deeper conversation, he said.
     Hanson is president of the LWF and chairs the LWF Council.
     
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