To around 170 participants including 100 Lutheran church representatives from all over the world, the 49-member Council, invited guests, stewards, interpreters, journalists and LWF staff persons, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Mark S. Hanson gave the keynote address to the LWF General Council 2004.

In regards to the theme of the gathering “Growing Together - Growing Apart”, President Hanson presented an overview of all the international issues that divide creation, the human family and the body of Christ. Nevertheless, he concluded with a message that will bring hope, comfort and strengthen to Lutherans worldwide.

For President Hanson, everything must be explained and understood from more than one side and this is the secret of how to cope with all changes and resolve possible crisis'. Hanson cited the example, “as many believe how economic globalisation causes the world to grow together as a global society, yet it also drives people apart as the chasm widens between those with wealth and those who live in poverty.”

In contrast, he commented on the most threatening disease to the world - AIDS/HIV - such a crisis could be the opportunity for the whole world to unite together in fighting the battle.

“If any crisis should cause us to set aside differences, generate resources, and find solutions, it is HIV/AIDS...HIV/AIDS is not the only disease that should cause us to grow together for the sake of the healing of the world, but it is where we must begin,” he stated.

“We will grow together rather than apart as we are defined by our faith, not our fears,” President Hanson stated.

“While fear hardens lives and closes borders, faith calls on the churches to see the world through the eyes of God’s vision for the world - a vision of the goodness of creation, humanity created in God’s image, interdependent, praising God, and pursuing justice and peace,” said Hanson. Hanson urged all Lutherans to confess their faith and their unity in Christ in order to bring some changes to the world.

To ensure the unity within the LWF, President Hanson noted the prerequisite was to set priorities for LWF’s work in a way “that incorporates the Assembly Message and the ongoing LWF commitments with an honest assessment of available resources.”

Hanson expressed his special concern on two topics that often cause division of the LWF community; these are finances and human sexuality.

“We must commit [ourselves] to greater mutual accountability in decision-making about financial support for [the] LWF,” he suggested.

Extending the focus from within to outside the LWF, the LWF president expressed concern for growing fundamentalism in various faith traditions.

“We must avoid identifying a particular religion by the divisive expressions of fundamentalism within it,” Hanson warned.

He encouraged more inter-faith dialogue, as it does not only serve greater understanding and genuine mutual hospitality but also promotes mutual efforts for a world of peace with justice. He especially highlighted Christian-Jewish and Christian-Muslim dialogue.

President Hanson, as a Bishop from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), called on the LWF to join with those in the USA and throughout the world “who call for repentance and transformation where the United States fails, and acknowledge with gratitude the work it does when and where it serves all of humanity.”