CHICAGO — The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland was reelected May 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 29-31 at the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center in Columbus, Ga.
The bishop was reelected on the first ballot, with 224 votes, representing the required 75% of the legal ballots cast.
Strickland previously served as assistant to the bishop and executive for worship with the ELCA churchwide organization in Chicago (2014-2019); as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, Tenn. (2011-2014); and as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Maryville, Tenn. (2008-2011).
He received a Bachelor of Arts from Newberry (S.C.) College in 2004; a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2008; and a Doctor of Ministry from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta in 2024. Newberry is one of 27 ELCA colleges and universities, and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C., is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
Information about the Southeastern Synod is available here.
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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
