Winnipeg, 30 October 2012 At a special convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canadas (ELCIC) Synod of Alberta and the Territories (ABT), delegates elected Rev. Dr Larry Kochendorfer to the position of Synod Bishop.
The special convention was held on Saturday, October 27 in Red Deer, Alberta. The election came on the second ballot with Bishop-elect Kochendorfer receiving 143 out of 186 ballot cast.
Incumbent ABT Synod Bishop Ron Mayan announced in September his resignation and retirement effective October 31, 2012. As per ABT Synod Bylaws, special conventions can be held for specified purposes when called for by the chairperson of the synod and with at least two-thirds majority vote of the synod council.
In his acceptance of the call, Bishop-elect Kochendorfer shared with delegates what he considers to be his three core values: servant leadership, affirmation and involvement, which he says shape his family life, personal life and ministry. This is who stands before you, he said.
The Bishop-elect then invited delegates present at the special convention to enter into a covenant with him. I take this very seriously, he said.
Taken in part from the affirmation of Baptism, Bishop-elect Kochendorfers covenant called on the delegates to: move together into Gods future, journey together in mission, work and serve together, live among Gods faithful people, hear the word of God and share in the Lords supper, proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Bishop-elect Kochendorfers acceptance of the call to Bishop was met with applause and a standing ovation.
Prior to his election, Bishop-elect Kochendorfer served as commissary and assistant to the bishop for the ABT Synod. He and his wife Cathy have four adult children. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, in 1989 and received a Doctor of Worship Studies from the Institute for Worship Studies in 2008.
The ordination service for Bishop-elect Kochendorfer will take place on January 26, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran, Edmonton, Alberta.
