CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Effective May 22, the Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord will serve as acting director of the Division for Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Strandjord, 49, assumes the role in addition to his current duties as director for theological education.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, appointed Strandjord to serve as acting director until a new executive director is elected by the board for the Division for Ministry. A new executive director is expected to be in place within the next several months, said the Rev. Charles S. Miller, ELCA executive for administration and executive assistant to the presiding bishop.
Strandjord was appointed acting executive director following the retirement this month of the Rev. Joseph M. Wagner as the division's executive director. Wagner served as executive director since the beginning of the ELCA in 1988.
The Division for Ministry supports the ministry of all baptized people in the church, including laity, ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.
Strandjord, who joined the ELCA churchwide organization in 1998, was born in Minneapolis. In 1974, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in classical languages from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. In 1978, Strandjord earned a master of divinity from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries. He earned a doctor of philosophy in theology from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., in 1996.
He and his wife, the Rev. Jeanette B. Strandjord, are parents of two daughters.
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
