The Rev. Andrew Dzurovcik of Clark, N.J., is the new president of the Synod’s nongeographic SELC District.
Dzurovcik, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Clark, was elected on the third ballot by delegates to the district’s 17th Regular Convention, April 9-12 in Clark. He had served as the district’s first vice-president since 1997.
Dzurovcik succeeds the Rev. Dr. Carl Krueger, who was president for the past 18 years and was deemed “president emeritus” by delegates. Krueger had announced prior to the convention his intention to retire from the post, and delegates also adopted a resolution expressing the district’s “deepest appreciation” to Krueger and his wife, Dianne, “for their dedication and service to the Lord and His Church.” The resolution also asks the LCMS to recognize and thank the Kruegers “for their incredible example, love and service in the name of our Lord.”
Also elected to their first three-year terms were:
- Rev. Wally Arp, pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Fla., first vice-president.
- Rev. Dr. Chris Cahill, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Lodi, Ohio, second vice-president.
- Rev. Chris Ongstad, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Alsip, Ill., third vice-president.
- Rev. John Telloni, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Massillon, Ohio, secretary.
Robert Lange of Norridge, Ill., was re-elected treasurer.
All of those elected were installed during the convention.
Other resolutions adopted by delegates call for:
- LCMS pastors to “consider ceasing to act as agents of the governing authority in regards to signing marriage certificates” because “governing authorities are diverging from the scriptural understanding of marriage” and pastors “may have to compromise their faith practice and the sovereignty of God’s Word to comply with each state’s legal requirements of marriage administration.”
- a districtwide three-year emphasis on youth and family ministry — sharing the Gospel with the next generation and working to strengthen families in their faith. The resolution also asks the LCMS to make children and families a priority and a focus of the Synod during the next triennium.
Speakers at the convention, held under the theme “He Is Risen! — We Will Rise! — He Lives! — We Live!,” included:
- LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, who shared a report on the Synod.
- Rev. Dr. Peter Meier, executive director of the Center for United States Missions, whose topic was “Equipping God’s people to multiply the harvest.”
- David A. Fiala, assistant director of Missionary Recruitment with the LCMS Office of International Mission, who encouraged convention-goers to support missionaries with their prayers and financial contributions.
- Rev. Dr. Anthony Steinbronn, president of the LCMS New Jersey District, who brought greetings.
- Bruce Sutherland, constituent relations manager with Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM), St. Louis, who explained LHM’s mission and encouraged SELC circuits to get involved in that mission and ministry.
Posted April 17, 2015 / Updated April 18, 2015; April 19, 2015; April 21, 2015; April 22
