Posted on 11/10/2010 6:32:14 PM PST by lightman
What Question Do You Have for the ELCA Presiding Bishop? 10-282-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- If you could ask the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) a question, what would it be? The Rev. Mark S. Hanson is ready to receive questions live during the online ELCA Town Hall Forum Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. EST. The forum is an hour-long event designed to inform ELCA members about the life-changing mission and ministries of the ELCA.
According to Eric Peterson, congregations should not think of the forum as "a show to be watched. Congregations should prepare and study for it, discuss what they have heard and grow in action out of that."
Peterson, a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis., participated in the March 7 and Sept. 19, 2010 forums.
"It has been rewarding to hear from the presiding bishop as the church grapples with issues about the nature and future of the church," he said. The forum offers an opportunity to interact with other church members, congregations and synods "in holy conversation."
Peterson said he would like to see more forums scheduled, along with deeper participation from congregations across this church.
"I think people in this church want to have true and honest conversations about the church and discover how the gospel is calling us to be faith-in-action people."
Members of Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore, Ill., hosted a viewing party for the September forum.
"We had a good conversation afterward with people sharing their reactions," said Carla Vanatta, associate in ministry at Salem. She said the forum and subsequent conversation were important for Jim Kline, a visitor of Salem who became a member of the congregation Oct. 30.
"I had been looking for a new ELCA congregation to join because my previous congregation decided to leave the ELCA," said Kline.
"What stood out for me at the (September) Town Hall Forum was Bishop Hanson's comment about whether the ELCA is 'defined by questions in which we have no agreement and often divide us, or by the good news of Jesus Christ that unites us.' For me that was a very appropriate thing to say," he said.
Vanatta said the forum was a "healing experience" because it offered space for participants to address some issues. "Bishop Hanson was frank but sensitive about the pain of congregations leaving the ELCA. The forum was also a good way for the rest of us to be able to respond to what our visitor had been experiencing."
Members of Salem have made a deeper commitment to continue dialogue and to host future viewing parties.
Participants can follow conversations on Facebook or tweet about the event using the hash tags #ELCA or #BishopHanson. Submit questions and watch the forum at http://www.ELCA.org/townhall on the ELCA website. Images and transcripts in English and Spanish are available on the website, as well as the opportunity to watch previous webcasts and monitor dates for future forums.
The ELCA Town Hall Forum is a unique, informative and enjoyable experience. Host a viewing party for your congregation and help build community with the more than 10,000 congregations across this church. A tool kit is available at http://www.ELCA.org/townhall to help congregations host a viewing party with electronic and technical assistance, social media opportunities and more.
For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper (773) 380-2956
http://www.elca.org
"++Mark, the fastest growing Lutheran church body in the United States is the North American Lutheran Church (NALC)...how long will you continue to deny their existence, and how can you set aside the century old Galesburg Rule by treating their clergy as pariahs?"
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Be rooted in Christ!
Around these parts most people call a "viewing party" a Wake.
Mark, how can the ELCA claim to teach, preach and serve Christ when it is in knowing and deliberate disagreement with black-letter Bible teaching on homosexuality?
Ask him if Romans 1:32 is his life verse.
For too many years I have listened to pontifications (word choice intentional) by elca “bishops.” This one in particular. I have long since wearied of their words.
There are, however, some things I would like to say to him.
I grew up Lutheran and left because of the ELC. They’ve gone gay tolerant and most of their prayers are lifted right off the pages of UN propoganda. I refuse to sit in church and pray for the redistribution of the earth’s resources. 99% of the congregation is oblivious what they just prayed for.
"Sundays and Seasons" (the scripted prayer publication of Augsburg-Fortress) has done immeasurable harm to the worship life of congregations.
For one thing, the prayers are NOT truly "the prayers of the people" but the prayers of the elite. For another, they are either bland and generic or blantantly advocating a leftist agenda.
I've never touched them in 21 years of ministry.
What possessed you to stop being a Christian?
You mean, "who"?
And we know the answer:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe...
Or, as better phrased in the Book rejected by the ELCA, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Mark does “It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Lk. 17:2) apply to Presiding Bishops too?
I pray G-d has mercy on your soul.
I’m sure the “questions” will be hand picked and carefully screened. Liberals’ egos are awfully tender.
I would say, “Which Bible verses state that God approves of homosexuality? I’ve seen about 20 verses that state that homosexual behavior is a sin.”
Woo hoo, another ELCA Townhall = another prime opportunity for a drinking game.
“Dialogue” is good for one, two shots per “discernment”.
“Dialogue” is good for one, two shots per “discernment
Three for "inclusion"?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.