CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Kenneth R. Olsen, bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will not seek a second term, he announced in a letter this month to leaders in the synod. Olsen, 65, will leave office when his six-year term expires Aug. 31, and plans to pursue other opportunities in the church.
The ELCA is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop elected by the synod assembly. Olsen was elected in 1995 over the incumbent bishop, the Rev. Sherman G. Hicks.
A primary reason for Olsen's decision was personal health concerns, he said.
"I continue to be humbled by the support and affirmation of the pastors and people of this synod, and am so very grateful for the opportunity that you have given me to serve you for the past six years," he said in his letter. "It is obvious to me that I am not yet ready to retire, but as of this writing, I am still contemplating and examining my future plans for ministry."
The Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly will elect Olsen's successor when it meets June 1-2 at the Arthur Anderson Worldwide Center for Professional Training, St. Charles, Ill.
The Metropolitan Chicago Synod has about 119,000 members in 230 congregations.
Olsen is a native of Chicago. He previously served as associate director of the ELCA Foundation; assistant to the bishop, Metropolitan Chicago Synod; stewardship director, ELCA Commission for Financial Support; stewardship director, Illinois Synod of the former Lutheran Church in America; and pastor for Lutheran congregations in Aurora, Ill. and Wheaton, Ill.
Olsen graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Of the 27 elections for bishop in ELCA synods this year, at least 13 bishops will not seek re-election. Some are subject to term limits; others announced they will retire or seek other opportunities in the church.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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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 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. 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
