CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected the Rev. Randall R. Lee Sept. 3 to a four-year term as director of the ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs. Lee, 46, will also serve as an assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop.
Lee is currently executive assistant to the ELCA secretary, Office of the Secretary, and associate for bilateral dialogues, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs. He will succeed the Rev. Jon S. Enslin, who has served as interim director, Department for Ecumenical Affairs, since Nov. 1, following the retirement of the Rev. Daniel F. Martensen. Lee will assume his new role Oct. 1.
"Randy Lee has extensive ecumenical experience as a parish pastor, theologian, ecumenical dialogue participant and part-time member of the Department for Ecumenical Affairs staff," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a statement to the council. "Ecumenical partners speak very highly of Randy's theological insights, relational sensitivities and commitment to greater expressions of unity in Christ's church."
Lee's work as a church journalist is significant to the position, Hanson said, adding that he has already depended on Lee for "ecumenical briefings and advice." Hanson nominated Lee following a search process.
"I look forward with excitement to the privilege of working with Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson in his role as chief ecumenical officer of this church," Lee said in a statement. "The ELCA has played a significant role in the ecumenical world since its formation in 1988. The challenge before us is to continue this work with renewed energy and commitment for the sake of the unity of Christ's Body, the Church."
The church must communicate the significance of its ecumenical work to its members, Lee said. "In the future, the success of the ecumenical enterprise will depend upon a large number of people sharing in this work by living it out in congregations and synods," he added.
Lee was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. In 1978 he earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and theology, and graduated with honors in religion from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind. In 1982 he earned a master of divinity and in 1983 earned a master of sacred theology, both from Christ Seminary-Seminex, St. Louis. In 1985 he earned a master of theology degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), and in 1992 he earned a doctor of theology degree from LSTC, one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Lee has served in a variety of roles for the church. Following his ordination in 1982, Lee was assistant pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, University City, Mo., and later was assistant pastor, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Luke, Chicago.
From 1987 to 1989 he was associate vice president for development, LSTC. From 1985 to 1988 Lee was chief executive officer, Evangelical Lutherans in Mission (ELIM), an organization of moderates within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). He was editor of Lutheran Perspective, ELIM's newspaper, and was director of communication for the Major Fund Appeal for the Association for Evangelical Lutheran Churches, a predecessor church body of the ELCA.
From 1992 to 1995 he was pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston, Ill.; a guest faculty member at LSTC in 1992 and 1994; and from 1989 to 1993 he was project director for the Mission and Membership Initiative, sponsored by the ELCA and Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a fraternal benefit organization based in Minneapolis).
His service to the church includes membership on several communication and publication advisory committees and editorial boards; advisory committee, Institute of Liturgical Studies, Valparaiso University; and nominating and worship committees, ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
Lee served six years on the board of directors for the annual Bach Week Festival, Evanston, Ill. He is a graduate of a leadership program in Evanston and served on the program's steering committee. He also served on the board of directors of the former Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center, Evanston.
Lee was awarded the 1990 Arthur Carl Piepkorn Prize and was accorded "honors in religion" for an essay he wrote for the Department of Religion, Valparaiso University. Lee has authored numerous articles and homiletical materials. This year he edited and wrote an introduction for "Grace Upon Grace: Living Bread, Living Water, Living Word," for the Valparaiso Institute of Liturgical Studies.
Lee is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Evanston.
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
