Craig Schweitzer Appointed Executive Director, ELCA Christian Community and Leadership

Chicago — The Rev. Craig Schweitzer has been appointed to a four-year, renewable term as executive director for the Christian Community and Leadership unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Schweitzer has served as bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod since 2020. He served Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck, N.D., as pastor from 2014 to 2020, as associate pastor from 2010 to 2014 and as music and worship minister from 2002 to 2010. Prior to his service in the church, Schweitzer built a career spanning music, education and business, which included recording work and producing and promoting live concerts.

“I am honored to accept this call to serve the wider church and grateful for the communities that have formed me in faith,” Schweitzer said. “I look forward to supporting and equipping leaders across the ELCA as together we nurture Christian community and engage boldly in God’s work in the world.”

Schweitzer received a Master of Science in strategic leadership from the University of Mary in Bismarck in 2015. He holds a certificate degree in Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., and was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 2010. Pacific Lutheran is one of seven ELCA seminaries.

Schweitzer will begin his call with the churchwide organization on Sept. 8. The Rev. Sara Cutter has served as interim executive director for Christian Community and Leadership since September 2025.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.7 million members in more than 8,400 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

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