wfn.org | Robert Schaefer Named ELCA Executive for Worship and Liturgical Resources

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: Robert Schaefer Named ELCA Executive for Worship and Liturgical Resources
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>February 2, 2009  

Robert Schaefer Named ELCA Executive for Worship and Liturgical Resources
09-029-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Robert G. Schaefer will
become executive for worship and liturgical resources of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) effective
March 1.

Since 2004 Schaefer has been assistant to the bishop of
the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, based in Tampa, Fla.  He
succeeds the Rev. Michael L. Burk, who was elected in 2008
to serve as bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod,
based in Iowa City.

"I am passionate about how the church's worship is
connected to God's mission in the world.  Our Christian
identity, given in Baptism, is shaped and formed by the
liturgy," said Schaefer.

"I hope to encourage a conversation that fosters the
close connection between the centrality of the local assembly's
weekly gathering around Word and Sacrament and its
evangelical mission and compassionate service in its
community," said Schaefer.  "It will be exciting to be
given the opportunity to be part of building on and
continuing to interpret the remarkable family of worship
resources that Evangelical Lutheran Worship has introduced
to this church."

Born in 1957 in Bronxville, N.Y., Schaefer graduated
from Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., in 1979, and the
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) in
1984.  LTSP is one of eight ELCA seminaries.

 From 1987 to 2004 Schaefer served as pastor of ELCA
congregations in Tampa, Rockville Centre, N.Y., and Liberty,
N.Y.  He led a variety of church and synod worship committees
from 1990 to 2006.

"I am delighted to welcome the Rev. Robert Schaefer to
the position of executive for worship and liturgical resources.
Drawing upon his diverse and rich experiences as a parish
pastor and synod staff member, Pastor Schaefer will provide
important leadership as we continue to center our life together
in worship on the means of grace," said the Rev. Mark S.
Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.

Schaefer "brings a deep commitment to the centrality of
Word and Sacrament to our Lutheran identity and understands
that our growing as an evangelical church in mission is
inseparable from what occurs in worship. I look forward to
his leadership in the growing conversations about preaching
in this church," Hanson said.

In a letter to members of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod,
the Rev. Edward R. Benoway, bishop of the synod, said Schaefer
"will be missed."

"Pastor Schaefer worked with leadership development
throughout the synod, including representing me at most
candidacy committee meetings and seminary review panels,"
said Benoway.  "He was very instrumental in implementing a
comprehensive diakonia program in our synod and helped to
further the synodical deacon program."

Schaefer is married to the Rev. Jennifer E.S. Schaefer.
They have three daughters.
- - -

Information about ELCA Worship and Liturgical resources
is at http://www.ELCA.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx on
the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog