Biography
Bishop Sherman G. Hicks became the Lutheran Bishop of Chicago in 1988, after serving eight years as Assistant to the Bishop of Illinois in the old Lutheran Church in America. He has pastored churches in New Jersey and New York and received his Doctor of Divinity from Wittenberg University. Bishop Hicks is a dedicated and effective leader in the Chicago religious community. He serves as President of the Interfaith Council for the Homeless and as a member of the board of the Community Renewal Society. [Biographical information is correct as of the broadcast date noted above.]

"Life's Basic Question" 
In my experiences with life, and as I have talked, worked, played and lived with many different people in numerous situations, I have discovered that there are three very basic questions about life. We humans -- whether we be young or old; whether we live in an urban area or in a rural area; whether we be African American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, or White; whether we be male or female; whether we be rich or poor; whether we be formally educated or not -- have the need to know answers to three very basic questions about life.

The first question is "WHO AM I?" The second question is "FOR WHAT PURPOSE AM I HERE?" And the third question is "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?" These are three of life's basic questions, and most human lives don't escape some kind of struggle with them.

As we seek meaning and answers to these questions for our lives, I invite you to join me in looking at these questions from the Judeo-Christian tradition.

"WHO AM I?" In our society, there are many ways to respond to this question. One common response is to give one's name. "Who am I?" -- I am Sherman Hicks. Another common response is to give one's occupation or vocation. "Who am I?" -- I am a pastor. However, most of us realize that saying one's name or giving one's occupation or vocation does not fully answer the question. Christians know that we have a God who is God to all people everywhere, and this is evident especially during the Epiphany Season when the Christ child is manifested to the Gentiles.

We recall the Apostle Peter's words to Cornelius, the captain in the Roman army. Peter spoke: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. You know the message He sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all." (Acts 10:34-36)

Our God is a God who shows no partiality. Our God is a God who went to the Israelites and the Gentiles. Our God is a God who claims each and every one of us as a child of God in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. "Who am I?" -- I am a child of God, baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "Who are you?" -- You are a child of God! Together we are God's children. We are the children of a God of pure grace. We are the kin of a God of overflowing love to all people everywhere. We are the sons and daughters of a God who showers the Word on the people, and empowers them, in turn, to share the joy of this love and acceptance with others. We are the ones God has called out of darkness to be a light for the nations. We are the servants of God. I am a child of God. You are a child of God.

"FOR WHAT PURPOSE AM I HERE?" When you and I come to understand our identities as children of God, then our purpose, our task, is defined within that relationship.

Within that relationship, we now rephrase the question to be: "As a child of God what is God sending me to do?" The answer to this question contains our purpose; it identifies the mission God has for us. When we answer this question, we find our task. What does God require of the children? What does God want the children to do? The Old Testament prophet Micah has proclaimed: "....and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Christians are called to seek out the will of God and to live that will for the sake of all creation. When the will of God is being misdirected, then there is no justice, there is no kindness, and there is no walking humbly with God. It is important that we understand ourselves to be children of God, sent by God, to participate in God's mission in the world.

Perhaps the most difficult of the three questions is the last one -- "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?" I know who I am, I know my purpose; now, do I have the strength to accomplish it?

Do I have the confidence to go forth? Do I possess the faith that will enable me to discern God's will, and heed God's call? As children of God struggling with these concerns, we need to be reminded that we live in God's grace. In moments of uncertainty and weakness, you and I can call and depend on God and the community of believers. Hopefully, we will never feel that the answer to the question -- "What am I going to do?" -- will have to be answered in isolation. Even Jesus prayed to and with God in the garden before he could give up his life.

It is my prayer that we will have faith in the God who established the covenant and promised to "make all things new." Let us rely on our faith and the support of those in communities of believers, as we discern God's will and seek to live that will.

Truly we can say, "thanks be to God" for providing direction and fortitude as we seek answers to life's basic questions. AMEN.

Interview with Bishop Sherman Hicks
Interviewed by David Hardin

David Hardin: Sherman, you were in on the beginning of the new Lutheran Church, the merged church from the three other Lutheran churches. How has it gone?

Bishop Sherman Hicks: Well, Dave, I like to tell people that the merger was the right decision and I earnestly believe that. As three Lutheran churches, we needed to be able to make a public witness to people to the commitment that we have in Jesus Christ. Many of the differences that had separated us were not legitimate in keeping us apart. It has not been easy bringing three churches together.

Hardin:  Getting people to give up power is never easy. That has been one of my observations. I think maybe the Christian church, in general, has too many denominations. You are moving in the right direction because the differences aren't as important as the single fact of Christ in our lives.


Hicks:  I think you are absolutely right. When we can publicly demonstrate that, it means a lot, too. As the Lutheran church in this country, we are committed to the whole issue of ecumenicity and we are growing closer together with other Christian churches, too -- the Episcopal Church is one, the Roman Catholic, also.

Hardin:  You are dialoguing with them and meeting with them?

Hicks:  Yes. As a matter of fact last year on the eve of Pentecost, our synod signed a covenant with the Roman Catholic archdiocese and we have interim eucharistic sharing with the Episcopal Church.

Hardin:  That's really wonderful. I suppose the Episcopal Church, the Catholic Church and your church all have the same lessons now.

Hicks:  Yes, we are using a common lectionary and so on Sunday mornings we are hearing the same scripture readings and that would mean the sermons are usually from those lectionaries also.

Hardin:  We've come a long way from the Hundred Years War.

Hicks: We have come a long way and we are moving further, also.

Hardin:  I first met you when you introduced Bishop Gomez of El Salvador at a meeting. He was up here, I think, because he had to flee the country at the time of some of the turmoil down there. Apparently, El Salvador is a difficult place for a religious leader. Would you echo that?

Hicks:  Yes. Of course, we know about the assassination of Archbishop Romero and Bishop Gomez had to flee El Salvador for awhile for fear of his life. He is now back in the country, but death threats continue to plague him and that is a concern.

Hardin:  As a thoughtful Christian leader, what do you think is our proper role as Americans in all this? What should we be doing about it?

Hicks:  As Christian people I think we certainly need to invoke the use of prayer in all of our concerns. Prayer is very important and the people in El Salvador covet our prayers. So, we certainly need to be praying. I believe that in addition to praying, we need to be advocates for peace and justice in El Salvador. One of the concerns that we have is the amount of money that is provided by our government, especially for military power. I believe we need to be in touch with our representatives, asking for a reduction in expenses for military power in El Salvador.

Hardin:  We seem to have used a military solution a lot instead of an economic solution in helping a country get started or to get hold of its economy. Do you feel that is the kind of direction in which we should be moving?

Hicks:  I certainly do. I think we have had enough experience to say that military power is not the answer in the world today.

Hardin:  I think that is very appropriate. I think that it is getting better. Nicaragua seems to be at peace now. El Salvador may be next.

Hicks:  We are certainly not hearing of the military assaults like we used to hear. So, I am hopeful that is a sign that things are getting better. But, I believe we need to be very cautious and to always be looking out to see just how things are happening.

Hardin:  In your sermon you said that the last key question is "What am I going to do?" What does God have me here for? It's hard. How do people get hold of what the Lord has in mind for their lives?

Hicks:  As Christian people, we live in a community. I believe it is important that we share these concerns within that community, that we ask for help and assistance from the community. We don't have to be about these things all by ourselves or in isolation. Generally, we can gain strength from the support and the counsel of others, and take that first step which is often the most important step.

Hardin:  A lot of people I know really want to do something but we kind of stall. I have always thought of the phrase of St. Augustine, "Lord, I'm coming, but not yet." I love the question, "If not you, who? If not now, when?" Don't you think this is one of the things people stumble with?

Hicks: I think so. That is why I say that if we can move forward with faith and take the risk, that will be the first step.

Hardin:  Thanks very much, Sherman. It's been a great pleasure having you with us.