wfn.org | ELCA Council Elects Charles Miller Executive for Administration

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 11, 2001

ELCA COUNCIL ELECTS CHARLES MILLER EXECUTIVE FOR ADMINISTRATION
01-285-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) elected the Rev. Charles S. Miller to a six-
year term as executive for administration and executive assistant to
the presiding bishop.  Miller, 58, executive director of the ELCA
Division for Church in Society, succeeds the Rev. Robert N. Bacher,
who served in the role from the time the ELCA was formed in 1987
until he retired Oct. 31.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves
as the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide
assemblies. The council met here Nov. 9-11. Assemblies are held every
other year; the next is Aug. 11-17, 2003, in Milwaukee.
     When the ELCA was formed in 1987, Miller became executive
director of the ELCA Division for Social Ministry Organizations.  He
remained as executive director when the unit was renamed the ELCA
Division for Church in Society.
     An interview team consisting of the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA
presiding bishop, a church council member, plus executives from
inside and outside the churchwide organization, nominated Miller for
election by the council.  According to the ELCA Constitution, his
appointment ends simultaneously with the term of the presiding
bishop.  Hanson began a six-year term Nov. 1.  Miller will begin his
new responsibilities Dec. 1.
     As executive for administration, Miller will serve on the
presiding bishop's administrative team, assisting in the oversight,
management, supervision and coordination in the operation of the ELCA
churchwide organization.  The executive for administration is
considered the chief administrator of the churchwide organization,
supervising its daily functions and managing its budget, in
consultation with the presiding bishop, church council and churchwide
assembly.
     "Pastor Miller brings to this office a depth of theological
thinking, a strong commitment to strategic planning, skills as an
administrator and facilitator of the challenging decision-making
process," Hanson said.  "As one who is new to the churchwide
organization, it's important for my leadership to have someone with
credible experience in this leadership role."
     "I'm very grateful to Bishop Hanson and the church council for
their confidence in me," Miller said.  "With God's every-present
help, I will do everything possible to serve the church well in this
new work."
     Miller was born in 1943 in Clearfield, Pa.  He earned a
bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1965 from Gettysburg College,
Gettysburg, Pa., one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities.  In 1969,
he earned a master of divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, one of eight ELCA seminaries.
     Following his ordination in 1969, he was pastor at Calvary
Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, from 1969 to 1972.  He was assistant
to the bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, based in
Philadelphia, of the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) from
1972 to 1981.  In 1982, he joined the staff of the LCA's Division for
Mission in North America, New York, and served there until 1987.
     Miller and his spouse, Gail Wagner-Miller, attend Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church in Oak Park, Ill., and are parents of two grown
children.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html