Timothy Smith elected bishop of ELCA North Carolina Synod

CHICAGO (ELCA) – The Rev. Timothy M. Smith, Atlanta, was elected May 30 to a six-year term as bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly May 28-30 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.
Smith was elected on the fifth and final ballot with 301 votes to 276 votes for the Rev. Mark Fitzsimmons, pastor of Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, N.C.
“I am shocked, humbled and blessed by this opportunity to return to my home synod whose offices happen to be in my hometown, the office for which is next door to the Lutheran retirement complex where my parents live,” said Smith.
Smith has served as senior pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, since 2010. He was senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, N.C., from 1993 to 2010, and pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church – Startown in Newton, N.C., from 1986 to 1993.
The bishop-elect earned a bachelor’s degree in religion in 1982 from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (Pa.), in 1986. Gettysburg is one of eight ELCA seminaries. Smith earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University Theological School in Madison, N.J., in 1992.
The Rev. Leonard Bolick, current bishop of the ELCA North Carolina Synod, has served three six-year terms and will retire this summer.
Smith will be installed as bishop Sept. 12 at Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte.
Information about the ELCA North Carolina Synod is available at http://www.nclutheran.org/index.php.