July 13, 2010

HOUSTON – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), offered best wishes to the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, in a statement Hanson issued after Harrison was elected president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), at the Synod's 64th Regular Convention here.

Harrison, 48, was elected on the first ballot for president, with 643 votes or 54 percent, over the Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick, 67, the incumbent, who received 527 votes or 45 percent. Three other nominees split 14 votes. The LCMS president is elected by majority vote.

Harrison is executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care, a role in which he has served since 2001.

"On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America I pray God's blessings on Rev. Matthew Harrison as he has been elected to serve as president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod," Hanson said in a statement. "We look forward to building upon our cooperative efforts in responding to the needs of our neighbors and to future meetings of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation as a regular opportunity for conversation between ELCA and LCMS leaders."

Hanson sent Harrison a private message after his election and was expected to talk with him by phone soon.

Kieschnick was first elected president of the Synod in 2001, and he was re-elected in 2004 and 2007.

Hanson added that he extends "gratitude to God for President Kieschnick's evangelical, Christ-centered witness during his service as president of the LCMS."

ELCS News Service