IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Rev. Michael L. Burk, executive,
Worship and Liturgical Resources, Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA), Chicago, was elected May 17 to a six-year
term as bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod. He was
elected on the fourth ballot for bishop during the synod
assembly here May 16-18.
On the fourth ballot, Burk received 312 votes to 92 for
the Rev. Kurt R. Nordby, assistant to the bishop, ELCA
Southeastern Iowa Synod, and director, Illowa Lutheran
Coalition, Rock Island, Ill., and 65 for the Rev. Jennifer
L. Henry, Zion Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa. There were
68 names on the nominating ballot.
Burk, 53, will succeed the Rev. Philip L. Hougen, who
has served the synod as bishop since August 1996. Hougen,
64, announced previously he will retire July 31. Burk will
be installed as bishop in a Sept. 6 service.
Born in Grinnell, Iowa, Burk is a graduate of Wartburg
College, Waverly, Iowa, and Wartburg Theological Seminary,
Dubuque, Iowa. He earned a doctorate in American studies
from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Wartburg College
is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities; Wartburg
Seminary is one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Ordained in 1986 Burk served as pastor of Zion Lutheran
Church, Dysart, Iowa, and St. Paul Lutheran Church and School,
Waverly, and as interim pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church, Newton, Iowa, and Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City.
In 2001 Burk became ELCA director for worship. He
oversaw the churchwide "Renewing Worship" project, which
developed the ELCA's new series of "Evangelical Lutheran
Worship" resources.
Burk and his wife Diane are parents of three children.
The Burks reside in Mount Prospect, Ill.
The ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod consists of
approximately 97,000 baptized Lutherans in 150 congregations
across 38 counties in central and southeastern Iowa. The
synod office is located in Iowa City.
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Information about the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod is
at http://www.seiasynod.org on the Web.
* Jodi Deike is communications director for the ELCA
Southeastern Iowa Synod, Iowa City.
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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
