August 26, 2008
by Frank Imhoff

The Rev. Richard J. (Rick) Foss, former bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Eastern North Dakota Synod, became director of the Contextual Leadership Initiative (CLI) for Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, Calif., on Aug. 1. Luther and PLTS are two of eight ELCA seminaries, and they comprise the ELCA's Western Mission Cluster – a cooperative venture of both seminaries and other partners to coordinate the theological education resources of the church in the western United States. CLI places students from both seminaries in internships and other contextual learning assignments.

Foss, 63, served as bishop of the ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod since 1992 and was ineligible for re-election in 2008. The Rev. Gary A. Wilkerson served as interim director of CLI since July 2007.

ELCA News Service