Bishop Mark Hanson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
In August 2001, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected Mark S. Hanson to serve as presiding bishop.
Before being elected presiding bishop, he served as bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod (3H). He had been elected to serve a second term in Saint Paul earlier that same year.
Prior to being elected synod bishop, he served as pastor of three Minnesota congregations: Prince of Glory Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Edina (Minnesota) Community Lutheran Church; and University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis.
Born in Minneapolis on December 2, 1946, he graduated from Augsburg College with a B.A. in sociology. He was a Rockefeller Fellow at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and received a Master of Divinity degree there in 1972. He also attended Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and was a Merrill Fellow at Harvard Divinity School in 1979.
In 2003, he was elected president of the Lutheran World Federation, a position he holds concurrently with his position as presiding bishop of the ELCA. Serving with this global communion of Lutheran churches, Bishop Hanson has traveled widely throughout the world, sharing a confident hope in God's promises and a vision of the joyful freedom in Christian community and mission.
Hanson is widely known as a leader with an evangelical passion and imagination who embraces the Christian tradition, the Christian community, and the world with both generous goodwill and thoughtful insight. He has been an articulate advocate for the renewal of the church's preaching and public voice, for the strengthening of ecumenical and inter-religious relationships, and for reconciliation and justice in society, with attention especially to those who live with poverty and discrimination.
Since being elected presiding bishop, he has received several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Humane Letters from Augsburg College, Wittenberg University, and Grand View University, Doctor of Humanities from Capital University, Doctor of Divinity from Lenoir-Rhyne College, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Susquehanna Univeristy, Wartburg College, and The Academy of Ecumenical Indian Theology and Church Administration.
He is the author of Faithful Yet Changing, the Church in Challenging Times and Faithful and Courageous, Christians in Unsettling Times both from Augsburg Fortress, Publishers.
Married to Ione (Agrimson), they are the parents of Aaron, Alyssa, Rachel, Ezra, Isaac and Elizabeth, and grandparents to Naomi, Kingston, Sam, and Danielle. Before moving to Chicago, Ione was the director of social work at Minneapolis and St. Paul Children's Hospitals.
For more information, please visit the ELCA website.
Latest Content by Bishop Mark Hanson
Bishop Mark Hanson
(
ELCA)
ELCA can be a sign of grace, hope, healing
The evidence that we are a deeply divided society abounds.The killing of Trayvon Martin released rage and exposed again the wounds that racism causes. Complex issues of personal morality became grounds for polarizing political rhetoric rather than an occasion for thoughtful conversations that welcome diverse perspectives.
Read full article...
Other Recent Content by Bishop Mark Hanson
April 08, 2012
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
When the disciples first heard Jesus speak of his death and resurrection, "they kept the matter to themselves" (Mark 9:10). But the news is too good to keep to ourselves. The life of Jesus Christ has been unleashed into the world.
March 02, 2012
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
It went viral in a matter of hours and now has been viewed more than 17 million times. What piques the interest of so many? It is a YouTube video titled "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." It brings to mind a distinction people often make between being spiritual but not religious.
February 17, 2012
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
In his column for The Lutheran magazine, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson says Lent is a time for repentance, and a return to life and roots.
January 06, 2012
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18-25), I will be giving thanks to God that this is Christ's church. Our unity is in Christ, who gathers us around word and water, bread and wine. Through Christ, we have been reconciled to God and to one another.
December 25, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson offers a Christmas meditation: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all (Titus 2:11).
December 02, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
The season we have entered is one of homecomings on many levels — geographical, emotional, social and spiritual.
December 01, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
In a joint message, the heads of the ELCA and The Episcopal Church write that World AIDS Day is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on God's call to lift up the dignity and value of each person.
November 01, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
We care deeply about the church, we serve it faithfully and generously, we are troubled when we believe it has erred, and we delight when the light of Christ shines bright. Therefore, it is understandable that almost unknowingly we begin to think and act as if the church is ours.
October 18, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Peter urges us to give an account of the hope that is within us. In this and future columns I want to explain why clarity regarding our identity, vocation and mission gives me hope.
September 13, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
I am hopeful because we are a church whose unity is in Jesus who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. Worship was at the center of each day with Bible study among small groups of prayer partners.
August 07, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
What does it mean to live Lutheran? I am interested in how you would answer that question. For me, the answer meant asking for forgiveness.
July 03, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Freedom! We go to court to protect it and to the halls of government to legislate it. We go to war to defend it. We go to therapy to experience it. We go to worship to receive it. But what in the world is this freedom?
June 11, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
The ascension means the crucified and risen Christ is not confined to memories we have of his earthly life, but is alive and on the move today. God provides the Spirit's power through the gospel so we might bear witness today to God's redeeming love in Christ.
June 07, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
In the aftermath of storms that seem relentless, we may feel overwhelmed and anxious, but not powerless. For God’s promise is clear: nothing in all creation will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
June 05, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
There are many voices telling us who cannot be trusted. Let us, however, sing of the God in whom you can trust, the God who makes promises and keeps them, the God who raised Jesus from the dead, the God who in Christ has made you a new creation.
May 29, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
I encourage you to reach out to ecumenical partners, including Muslim and Jewish partners, in your communities to plan 9/11 commemorations. I invite you to focus on increased awareness, healing of relationships and our future.
May 03, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Responding to the May 1 news of Osama bin Laden's death, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said bin Laden's death "is an occasion for solemn remembrance."
April 23, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Mary Magdalene and Mary walked to Jesus’ grave, expecting to find death. It’s understandable. Images of violence filled their minds. Thoughts of their vulnerability and mortality deadened their spirits. Death had become the defining story of their lives.
April 02, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Freedom in Christ happened both once and for all on the cross, and once "for you" in the baptismal dying and rising with Christ. Being freed in Christ is God's gift of grace received through faith so there is no doubt about it.
March 20, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Do you describe your congregation as struggling? When we struggle, openness and honesty are important. Still, honest description does not mean that our struggles define us, deplete us of energy for mission, or diminish our hope for the future.
February 05, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Each year in December I participate in a three-day retreat with leaders of other U.S. church bodies. We are in silence for 24 hours of that time. I have come to appreciate this time for prayer and reflection and this year meditated on the silence of God.
February 01, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
As the days of civil unrest continue to unfold in Egypt, I call upon the members of our church to pray for an end to the violence and for a peaceful solution that will benefit all people living in Egypt.
January 05, 2011
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
The beginning of a new year prompts us to make resolutions, but I invite you to think about expectations. Whether spoken or unspoken, whether for individuals or for church bodies, expectations have power.
December 24, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
When Jesus was born, angelic messengers broke the still calm of a Galilean night to sing joyously and proclaim, "This very day in David's city a Savior is born for you -- God's Promised One, your Lord."
December 03, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America writes, "The Scripture readings for Advent give us a distinctive lens for viewing each other, our faith and the world." Read on...
November 30, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
World AIDS Day gives us the opportunity to reflect, both individually and as faith-community, on God’s call to us. I believe that we are called to lift up the dignity and value of each person.
November 13, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
In these uncertain and challenging times, I have pondered Paul's words to Timothy: "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV). Timidity is not one of God's gifts to us, but we must assess it if we run the risk of becoming a timid church body.
November 06, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
The question of what gospel or message of good news we are proclaiming is important for all of us because there are competing gospels in American public life.... The gospel of Jesus Christ, however, is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith"... Read on.
October 30, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson adds his voice to the "It Gets Better" campaign for youth.
September 08, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson reports from the Lutheran World Federation meetings, where God's Spirit "deepened our commitment to being one communion of churches, richly diverse and firmly united in proclaiming Christ and engaging together in God's mission of restoring community and healing the world."
August 25, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
On a recent morning walk I reflected upon familiar words from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven"... It is my prayer that we use this time for discerning and engaging; for repenting and reconciling; for restraint but not timidity; and for rejoicing.
August 05, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes, "At a synod assembly where I was participating as the churchwide representative, I was invited to give my response to this question: 'Bishop, in one word what is your vision for every member of the ELCA?' My response was 'freedom.'" Read on.
July 20, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes, "The time has come for immigration reform in the United States. Yes, the issues are complex and not easily resolved. It is understandable that people are wary of engaging this politically and emotionally charged issue. Yet it would be tragic if we withdrew as people of faith and our voices fell silent."
July 13, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes, "The tragic irony is that exercising the very freedoms so many have fought and died to defend can be criticized as being unpatriotic. Equally tragic is that those who have been most critical of the government often have failed to support those who have given their lives in service to their country."
June 24, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson asks, "What if we not only participated in and supported one of our excellent outdoor ministries, but also thought about this summer as a time to experience together what so many value from being at camp?" Read on...
June 02, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America responds to the Israeli military interception of the Gaza flotilla.
May 19, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes, "How are we doing in extending hospitality as a church? When I ask ELCA members to tell me about their congregation, I often hear that they are 'just like a family' or 'so friendly.' As admirable as those qualities are, we may forget that it is not always easy to be a stranger coming into a family." Read on...
April 07, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson reports on his recent visits with leaders from other world church bodies, and concludes that we are bound more closely to Christ than our scriptural and doctrinal differences can separate us.
April 03, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes, "In this new day your resurrected service of God's steadfast love endures forever."
February 19, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson explores the challenges and opportunities that communications technologies offer the church today.
February 11, 2010
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
"Give us this day our daily bread." ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson finds much more than bread in these seven well-known words from the Lord's Prayer.
December 22, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson brings a word of hope for Christmas in his annual Christmas message.
December 02, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
In a sermon presented on All Saints' Day at Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson shares what it could mean to work together in Jesus' name.
November 25, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson reminds us that perseverance and mercy flow from a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, for which we can be most grateful.
November 18, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson shares a testimony of faith in Jesus, who offers forgiveness, peace, and joy to those who turn to him.
September 30, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson relects on the neverending nature of the positive practice of prayer.
September 09, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson shares his experiences of building faith practices into daily life--prayer, Bible study, worship, hospitality, service, generosity, teaching and mentoring others.
July 23, 2009
Bishop Mark Hanson
(ELCA)
Bishop Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, believes the economic crisis gives us an opportunity to share God's generosity and faithfulness.
