CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Paul J. Blom was re-elected June 7 to a six-year term as bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod assembly in New Orleans. Blom, 60, has been serving as bishop of the synod since 1991.
Blom was re-elected on the first ballot for bishop with 197 of 263 votes. Others who received votes on the first ballot were the Rev. Herbert E. Palmer, Faith Lutheran Church, Bellaire, Texas, 10 votes; the Rev. Lawrence H. Bade, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Brenham, Texas, 8 votes; and the Rev. Craig W. Borchardt, Peace Lutheran Church, College Station, Texas, 8 votes. There were 26 names on the nominating ballot.
Blom's new term begins Oct. 1.
Blom, who was born in Green Bay, Wis., received a bachelor's degree in history from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., an ELCA higher education institution. He earned a master of divinity degree at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., an ELCA seminary. Blom was ordained in 1967.
Before he was elected bishop, Blom served several years as senior pastor at Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Houston. He also served California congregations in Lakewood, Del Mar and Cupertino, Calif.
Blom and his wife, Marie, are parents of two grown children.
The ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod has 50,487 members in 137 congregations. Its offices are in Houston. -- -- -- [*The Rev. Robert W. Moore is assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Texas- Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.]
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
