CHICAGO (June 24, 2025) — The Rev. Scott A. Dalen, Underwood, Iowa, was elected June 14 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 13-14 at the Nativity Parish Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Dalen was elected on the fourth ballot, with 132 votes. The Rev. Rod Hopp, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, Iowa, received 53 votes.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of Underwood Lutheran Church since 2013.
Dalen earned a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Ames, Iowa, in 2001, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 2013. Luther is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
He will take office on Sept. 1 and be installed on Sept. 27.
The Rev. Lorna Halaas is retiring after serving as synod bishop since 2019.
Information about the Western Iowa 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
