Scott Dalen Elected Bishop of the Western Iowa Synod

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 on their website.