CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Joseph M. Wagner will retire at the end of May 2002 as executive director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Ministry, a position he has held since November 1987. He informed the division's staff and board of his decision on Jan. 16.
"I am very grateful for the opportunities that I've had in the last 14 years, in these beginning years of the ELCA," said Wagner, 64. The ELCA was formed in 1988 from the American Lutheran Church, Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and Lutheran Church in America (LCA). Wagner said he appreciated being a part of bringing the ministries of three churches together.
"We've been through some important times together with studies on ministry and on theological education. We have strong cooperation among our seminaries, and there's a developing strong sense of teamwork across the church," said Wagner.
From 1988 to 1993 the Division for Ministry conducted the study of ministry, which proposed definitions for the official ministries of the ELCA. The study of theological education, 1989 to 1995, developed a plan for a system of theological education among the church's eight seminaries.
"Many of us don't appreciate the strength and the cohesion that we have in the ELCA," said Wagner. "It's easy to see divisions, and there are those problems, but we have a very cohesive, very strong church from congregations through synods to the churchwide organization. To have been a part of helping to weave that fabric together was a pure privilege," he said.
The ELCA's 10,816 congregations are organized into 65 synods across the United States and Caribbean.
"Joe Wagner has served the Division for Ministry with vision and skill," said Kevin J. Boatright, Lawrence, Kan., chair of the ELCA Division for Ministry board. Boatright is associate executive vice chancellor for university relations, University of Kansas.
"The division has done significant work in the areas of candidacy, ministry in daily life, leadership support, multicultural leadership development, and ministerial health and wellness," said Boatright. "The division has also played a key role in helping to define our new ecumenical relationships," which often include the possible exchange of ministers between denominations, he said.
The division's work was carried out by "an outstanding staff" that Wagner "helped shape and reshape to meet the emerging needs of the church," said Boatright. "Joe has been a role model for me in terms of how to manage a strong staff and how to work effectively with a diverse board," he said.
"While I will miss working with him on the board, I am confident that the work of the division, the mission of the church and his personal ministry will all continue to go forward. That's part of his legacy to the ELCA: that he helped create a strong, motivated, mission-centered organization that does not depend on him for its ongoing success," said Boatright.
"On behalf of the ELCA, I extend our profound gratitude for Pastor Wagner's depth of faith and love for the church," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA.
Under Wagner's "exceptional" leadership, "we have seen increased collaboration among our eight seminaries as we prepare leaders for this church in mission," said Hanson. "He has helped in the development of stronger support systems for new leaders and greater partnership between synods and seminaries in working with candidates for ministry."
Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Wagner received degrees from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio; Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.; and Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J.
After Wagner was ordained in 1963, he served as pastor of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Va., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Terre Haute, Ind. He was an assistant to the bishop of the Indiana- Kentucky Synod in the former LCA, 1971-73, director for interpretation and guidance in the LCA Division for Professional Leadership, 1973-80, and assistant executive director of that division, 1980-87.
Wagner and his wife Claudia are the parents of three grown children -- two daughters and a son.
The ELCA Division for Ministry supports all the ministries of the church. The division develops standards for ministry and provides for the recruitment and guidance of candidates for church occupations, through theological education and continuing education.
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
