MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- The Rev. Jeffrey S. Barrow was elected Dec. 5 to a six-year term as bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at a special synod assembly here at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Barrow, 58, is currently an assistant to the bishop in the synod and senior pastor of Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Racine, Wis.
Barrow, who led or was tied for the lead on all ballots, was elected on the 5th ballot for bishop, 209-185 over the Rev. Susan E. Tjornehoj, director for evangelical mission, ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod. The Rev. Joseph G. Crippen, pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, Northfield, Minn. was also a candidate on the fourth ballot. There were 36 names on the first or nominating ballot.
"I am very grateful to be a pastor in this church," Barrow told the ELCA News Service in a phone interview. "I am hopeful for what is ahead for the Greater Milwaukee Synod and the wider church."
Barrow added that his experience as a parish pastor was helpful as he worked with congregations in his role as assistant to the bishop. "I think I will always look at things through the eyes of a parish pastor," he said.
Raised in Billings, Mont., Barrow earned a bachelor's degree in 1973 at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. He earned a master of divinity degree in 1979 at Luther Northwestern Seminary (now Luther Seminary), St. Paul, Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Barrow was ordained in 1979 by the former American Lutheran Church and served as pastor of three congregations -- Zion Lutheran (Arneckeville), Cuero, Texas, and Ascension Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, before he was called to Holy Communion Lutheran Church. He also served as executive director of the Koinonia Community, Highland Lake, N.Y.
The Rev. David W. Olson has been serving the Greater Milwaukee Synod as interim bishop, following the Sept. 30 resignation of the Rev. Paul W. Stumme-Diers. Stumme-Diers accepted a call to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
The synod council has recommended the new bishop begin Feb. 1, 2010. Barrow will be installed by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, March 14, 2010, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Barrow and wife Kate have two children, Jackson and Anneka. The family resides in Racine.
The ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod has 91,000 baptized members and 137 congregations in the Greater Milwaukee Area.
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