ELCA Seminary Elects African American President

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. James K. Echols, 45, was elected to be the next president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC)on May 5.  He is the first African American to head a Lutheran seminary in North America.  Echols currently serves as dean of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.  Both are seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
     "I welcome this election," said ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson.  "Jim Echols will bring a unique combination of vision and experience to the presidency of LSTC.  Dr. Echols' strong track record as dean of our seminary in Philadelphia has earned him the respect of our other seminary presidents.  His proven ability to develop new programs will continue the innovative reputation of LSTC in theological education."
     "The clear vision, energy and pastoral leadership that characterizes the Rev. Dr. Echols so thoroughly will expand LSTC's impact on the city of Chicago in preparing mission leaders for the worldwide church," said LSTC's dean, the Rev. Ralph W. Klein.
     A seminary statement called the election "an important step in LSTC's three decade long commitment to theological training in the urban and ecumenical academic setting of Chicago."  Echols is a member of the board of the ELCA Division for Ministry and the Black Lutheran Community Development Corporation in Philadelphia.
     A 1996 recipient of The Daniel Alexander Payne Award for Ecumenical Service from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Echols is well-published in the areas of church history, theology and African American Lutheranism.  He has participated in Lutheran and ecumenical conferences in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.  Echols serves on the national steering committee of the Conference of International Black Lutherans and is a member of the ELCA delegation to the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
     At LSTC Echols succeeds the Rev. William E. Lesher who will retire June 30.  Lesher informed the seminary's board of his plans in May 1996, so it would have time to conduct an extensive search before electing his replacement.
     "Dr. Echols is impressive," said Dr. Carol Gilbertson, St. Paul, Minn., who chaired the search committee, "not only in his academic and administrative credentials, but in his pastoral presence -- based in deep spirituality, shaped by continuing parish experience, and manifest in powerful preaching.  He will clearly articulate LSTC's mission and will nurture the kind of worshiping community that welcomes all to the feast."
     Echols was born in Philadelphia.  He is a graduate of Temple University, Philadelphia, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.  He earned advanced degrees from Yale University, New Haven, Conn., including a Ph.D. in History of Christianity.
     Ordained in 1979 in the former Lutheran Church in America, Echols served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Hempstead, N.Y., before joining the Philadelphia seminary faculty in 1982 to teach church history.  He has served as the seminary's academic dean since 1991. He coordinates the seminary's international students' services.
     He married Donna Rose Skinner in 1982.  They have two daughters: Jennifer Hope, 12, and Courtney Lynne, 8.

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Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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