CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Michael A. Last was elected April 21 to a six-year term as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the synod's assembly at the Sioux City Convention Center, Sioux City, Iowa.
On the fifth ballot Last received 240 votes to 217 votes for the Rev. David B. Zellmer, Grace Lutheran Church, Hayes, S.D., and Lutheran Memorial, Pierre, S.D.
The Rev. Durwood J. Clauson, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alta, Iowa, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rembrandt, Iowa, was also considered on the fourth ballot. Last received 153 votes on the fourth ballot -- Zellmer, 151, and Clauson, 149.
There were 71 names on the first and nominating ballot.
Born in Rock Island, Ill., Last, 54, is a graduate of William Penn College, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Northwestern Theological Seminary (now Luther Seminary), St. Paul, Minn.
Ordained in 1972, Last was pastor of four Iowa congregations -- Hope Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids; Trinity Lutheran Church, Spencer; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton; and Augustana Lutheran Church, Sioux City. In 1999 he became an assistant to the Rev. Curtis H. Miller, bishop of the ELCA Western Iowa Synod.
Last succeeds Miller, 53, who was not eligible for re-election to another term as bishop of the ELCA Western Iowa Synod. The synod constitution allows for a bishop to serve two six-year terms, and Miller has served two four-year terms and one six-year term. The ELCA extended the length of a bishop's term from four to six years in 1993.
Last is to become bishop July 1. A worship service of installation is planned for Oct. 14.
The Western Iowa Synod includes 78,146 Lutherans, including 226 pastors, in 173 congregations across 43 Iowa counties and the township of Sioux Valley, S.D. The synod office is in Storm Lake, Iowa.
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
