7.15.2007 LCMS News
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod
July 15, 2007 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 43
Kieschnick, Diekelman re-elected
HOUSTON -- Delegates to the 63rd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod today (July 15) elected Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick to his third three-year term as president of the 2.5 million-member church body.
The convention also re-elected Dr. William Diekelman to his second term as Synod first vice president.
Kieschnick, 64, was elected on the first ballot on the opening day of the convention, receiving 644 votes (52.3 percent).
Other nominees for the presidency were Rev. John W. Wohlrabe Jr., of Virginia Beach, Va., who received 514 votes (41.8 percent); Rev. Wallace R. Schulz of Augusta, Mo., 27 votes (2.2 percent); Rev. Daniel Preus, St. Louis, Mo., 23 votes (1.9 percent); and Dr. William R. Diekelman of Ballwin, Mo. 23 votes (1.9 percent).
Diekelman, 60, was elected to his second term as first vice president on the third ballot. Other candidates for first vice president were Wohlrabe, Schulz, Preus, and Charles Mueller Jr. of Bloomingdale, Ill.
In remarks following his re-election, Kieschnick acknowledged the support of the Council of Presidents; other officers of the Synod; and his family, including his wife, Terry, who joined him briefly on the podium. He also recognized Dr. Robert King, who served the Synod as a vice president for 21 years and has decided not to stand for election this year.
Kieschnick is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary (then located in Springfield, Ill., now in Fort Wayne, Ind.) and received an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1996 from Concordia University, Austin, Texas. He and Terry have two grown children. Before becoming LCMS president in 2001, Kieschnick served 10 years as president of the LCMS Texas District. Previously, he worked with the Lutheran Foundation of Texas, first as director of development (1986-88) and then as executive director (1988-91). He also has served as pastor of three congregations, one in Mississippi and two in Texas. Between 1998 and 2001, he served as chairman of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
Diekelman previously served as pastor of Faith, Owasso, and as LCMS Oklahoma District president. He and his wife, Carol, have six children.
The LCMS is meeting from July 14-19 in Houston under the theme "One Message -- Christ! His Love is Here for You!"
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