CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Roger R. Gustafson, Olathe, Kan., was
elected June 8 to a six-year term as bishop of the Central States Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Gustafson was
elected on the fifth ballot during the synod’s assembly June 6-9 in
Overland Park, Kan.
“Love God, love neighbor. According to Jesus, that’s the ethic that
fuels a life of significance and abundance, a life that is satisfying
before God,” said Gustafson. “I pray for the wisdom, courage and voice to
live that ethic as bishop of the Central States Synod and serve others as
they do the same.”
Gustafson was elected with 183 votes to 180 votes for the Rev.
Gerald L. Mansholt, bishop of the ELCA Central States Synod.
Gustafson has served as pastor of Advent Lutheran in Olathe, Kan.,
since his ordination in 1990. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1970 and a Master of
Divinity degree with honors from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary,
Berkeley, Calif., in 1990. The seminary is one of eight in the ELCA.
He is married to the Rev. Susan Langhauser, also pastor of Advent
Lutheran. They have one adult son.
Information about the ELCA Central States Synod is available at
http://css-ELCA.org.
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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
