wfn.org | Bachman, Lutheran Pastor, Author, Educator, Communicator, Dies

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 14, 2003

Bachman, Lutheran Pastor, Author, Educator, Communicator, Dies
03-148-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. John W. Bachman, author, former
college president, retired church communicator and pastor of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died July 7 at the
age of 87 in Minneapolis.
     "John Bachman was this generation's pre-eminent Lutheran
student and practitioner of the art of communication," said the
Rev. David W. Preus, president of the former American Lutheran
Church, 1973 to 1987.  Those skills made Bachman effective in
more ways than as a professional communicator, he said.
     "In our work in the American Lutheran Church national
office, John was the calm voice of reason and reconciliation.  He
had strong opinions, and he made them known, but he did so in a
way that did not make enemies," Preus said.  "He respected
others; he was gentle with others.  To meet with John was always
an occasion of grace," he said.
     Born May 30, 1916, in Youngstown, Ohio, Bachman is a
graduate of Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, and the former
Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary (ELTS), Columbus.
Ordained in 1941, he served as pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church,
Warren, Ohio, and earned a master's degree from Ohio State
University, Columbus.
     Bachman served on the faculties of Capital University and
Baylor University, Waco, Texas, before becoming a professor of
practical theology and director of the Center for Communication
and the Arts, Union Theological Seminary, New York.
     In 1964 Bachman became the 11th president of Wartburg
College, Waverly, Iowa.  From 1974 until his retirement in 1980,
Bachman was director of the Office of Communication and Mission
Support of the former American Lutheran Church, which merged with
two other Lutheran churches to form the ELCA in 1988.
     "Dr. Bachman brought wide vision and profound knowledge to
his responsibilities of leadership for effective communication
within and beyond The American Lutheran Church," said the Rev.
Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary.
     In 1972 the American Lutheran Church went through a
restructuring that established the Office of Communication and
Mission Support.  "Dr. Bachman drew on the strength of the past
and shaped a team that served well in fostering clear
communication and building stronger mission support," said Almen.
     Bachman authored several books, including "Together in Hope:
50 Years of Lutheran World Relief ," "Media, Wasteland or
Wonderland: Opportunities and Dangers for Christians in the
Electronic Age" and "Faith That Makes a Difference."
     A funeral service was held July 10 at Central Lutheran
Church, Minneapolis.
     Bachman is survived by his wife Elsie and son John, news
anchor at WHO-TV in Des Moines, Iowa.  He is preceded in death by
his son Charles, who was also a Lutheran pastor.
     ELTS merged with Hamma School of Theology, Springfield,
Ohio, to form Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, in 1978.
Trinity is one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.  Capital and
Wartburg are among 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
-- -- --
     Wartburg College has a home page at http://www.wartburg.edu/
on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news