From the Interim Bishop
Reflections on the 2011 Churchwide Assembly
I am so hopeful for the future of the ELCA. If the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which was held in Orlando, Fla., August 14-19, was representative of our ELCA, then I am more hopeful than ever for our Church. Here are my reasons for this hope.
- The Assembly affirmed over and over that this is Christ’s church and therefore there is a place for everyone in this church. Not only does our church have an open altar for communion; an open baptismal font for all children, no matter what age; but an open front door welcoming all people.
- The Assembly joined the collective voice of 39 synods, including the Minneapolis Area Synod, in overwhelmingly affirming that this church stands with all those who are verbally and physically bullied and says, “not in this church.” In this church, Christ’s church, this is a place of dignity and welcome.
- The Assembly affirmed again that in this church the members can talk and discuss openly about social concerns affecting our communities and world. With minor changes a wonderful Social Statement on Genetics was adopted. I commend it to you for further study and practice. This church shows our society that we can get along and enter into dialogue with one another. Agreeing at times to disagree but not becoming so disagreeable that we cannot still be one in Christ.
- The Assembly faced head on the tight economic times we are living in by restructuring for ministry and mission at the Churchwide expression. The budget is balanced and we are ready for mission. This was part of the LIFT initiative, (living into the future together). The center piece of the LIFT task force report and enabling resolutions affirmed that our congregations are the growing centers for mission, witness and service and that together—Congregations, Synods and Churchwide—finding new ways of cooperating and networking our church will be strengthened as we live into the future together.
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson said it best as he began his report to the Assembly, “I have come to this Churchwide Assembly more hopeful and more grateful for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America than I have ever been. The reason is simple. We are a church with clarity about who we are and about our shared commitment to being engaged in God’s mission for the life of the world.”
Marty Haugen’s hymn, “All are welcome,” sums up the work of the Assembly and the work of all of us as we go forward, freed in Christ to serve.
Let us build a house where hands will reach
Beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen serve and teach,
And live the Word they’ve known,
Here the outcast and the stranger
Bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger,
All are welcome in this place.
Interim Bishop Glenn Nycklemoe
