CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected the Rev. Charles S. Miller to a six- year term as executive for administration and executive assistant to the presiding bishop. Miller, 58, executive director of the ELCA Division for Church in Society, succeeds the Rev. Robert N. Bacher, who served in the role from the time the ELCA was formed in 1987 until he retired Oct. 31.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide assemblies. The council met here Nov. 9-11. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 11-17, 2003, in Milwaukee.
When the ELCA was formed in 1987, Miller became executive director of the ELCA Division for Social Ministry Organizations. He remained as executive director when the unit was renamed the ELCA Division for Church in Society.
An interview team consisting of the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, a church council member, plus executives from inside and outside the churchwide organization, nominated Miller for election by the council. According to the ELCA Constitution, his appointment ends simultaneously with the term of the presiding bishop. Hanson began a six-year term Nov. 1. Miller will begin his new responsibilities Dec. 1.
As executive for administration, Miller will serve on the presiding bishop's administrative team, assisting in the oversight, management, supervision and coordination in the operation of the ELCA churchwide organization. The executive for administration is considered the chief administrator of the churchwide organization, supervising its daily functions and managing its budget, in consultation with the presiding bishop, church council and churchwide assembly.
"Pastor Miller brings to this office a depth of theological thinking, a strong commitment to strategic planning, skills as an administrator and facilitator of the challenging decision-making process," Hanson said. "As one who is new to the churchwide organization, it's important for my leadership to have someone with credible experience in this leadership role."
"I'm very grateful to Bishop Hanson and the church council for their confidence in me," Miller said. "With God's ever-present help, I will do everything possible to serve the church well in this new work."
Miller was born in 1943 in Clearfield, Pa. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1965 from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa., one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. In 1969, he earned a master of divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Following his ordination in 1969, he was pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, from 1969 to 1972. He was assistant to the bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, based in Philadelphia, of the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) from 1972 to 1981. In 1982, he joined the staff of the LCA's Division for Mission in North America, New York, and served there until 1987.
Miller and his spouse, Gail Wagner-Miller, attend Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park, Ill., and are parents of two grown children. -- -- --
A video version of this story is available at http://www.elca.org/co/news/video.index.html on the Web.
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
