Dec 23, 2007 7:12 pm US/Central
A Chicago Spiritual Leader Speaks To The World
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Sunday night on CBS 2, for the first-time -- a dozen spiritual leaders, representing four billion followers, appeared in one broadcast. They took on the biggest topics of our time, including war, terrorism and poverty. One of those leaders is a man who has lived in Chicago for six years. We thought you might like to hear a little more about Bishop Mark Hanson.
It was a rare television event – a two-hour prime time special on a major network that addressed challenging questions during a difficult time.
Answers were offered by 12 of the world's most influential spiritual leaders, including the Pope and the Dalai Lama. And with them, was a Chicagoan – Bishop Mark Hanson, the leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The church's worldwide headquarters is in Chicago.
Bishop Hanson told CBS 2 what it meant to him to appear in the broadcast.
"It's a great opportunity to speak on behalf of 66 million Lutherans in the world and to engage not only other Christian leaders but to engage leaders of other faiths," Hanson said.
Like all the spiritual leaders, Bishop Hanson attempted to explain how God could exist when so many terrible things happen.
"The question is often asked where was God on 9/11? Right there on the ground bringing mercy and hope and healing in the midst of death and devastation – that's a core conviction for Lutheran Christians that take the cross so seriously," Hanson said.
Bishop Mark Hanson was born and raised in Minnesota. Though the son of a Lutheran evangelist, as a young man, he fought what he believed to be a call from God to follow in his father's footsteps.
"As the son of a preacher, mother who was a bible study leader and speaker there's something inside of me that said I can go my own way, but God has a way and I think I fought the call long enough," Hanson said. "I feel very called to ministry."
Hanson became a parish pastor, then a bishop in St. Paul. In August 2001, he was elected presiding bishop and with his family, moved to Chicago. Now Hanson, who travels the world, has found a home in Chicago.
"When I hear the multiple languages spoken at my local grocery store, think Chicago has welcomed people from all over the world and said we want you to experience community in this place," Hanson said.
Sunday's CBS special gave Bishop Hanson a forum for his religious beliefs and helped him score points with his daughter, who is away at college.
"She called me and she said Dad all the rest of those religious leaders were being carried through crowds that were cheering them, masses of humanity and you're shown getting into a car kissing mom goodbye, way to go Dad," he said.
Even when you're the leader of millions of people, there's nothing like a nod from your daughter. This past August, Mark Hanson was re-elected as presiding bishop. He'll serve a second, six-year term.
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