Elected on May 31 as the first woman bishop of the North Carolina Synod, Emily Hartner sees countless opportunities for the expressions of the ELCA to share their gifts with one another.
Hartner, who has served as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Charlotte, N.C., since 2017, connected with Living Lutheran about her vision of abundance, fueled by creative collaboration. She will take office Aug. 1 and will be installed at Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, Nov. 15.
Living Lutheran: What is your vision for the future of the synod?
Hartner: I envision a synod where we lean into collaboration in the most creative ways possible. Coming from a small congregation, I know how easy it is to feel like there are not enough resources. But when I look around the synod, I see so many resources and gifts. I dream about what it would be like if we more readily offered these gifts to one another and worked together to meet needs.
I’m interested in hearing about what leaders and congregations feel like they need and then connecting them with other leaders and congregations that can help fill those needs.
How did you feel when you were elected?
I felt a really deep sense of love and gratitude for the synod. The North Carolina Synod is my home synod, and shaped my faith and helped me develop as a pastor and leader.
What experiences in your ministry do you feel have best prepared you to serve as bishop?
All of them! I think about my internship, which took place in a redevelopment congregation, my first call as an associate pastor in a very established congregation, and my second call in a small congregation. Each experience has come with its unique joys and challenges.
I’m also completing my six-year term on the ELCA Church Council. That experience has given me a different perspective of the church. When I first began ministry, I had no idea what we were supposed to do with our constitution. But after serving on the Legal and Constitutional Review Committee for six years, I can say with confidence that I know what to do (and that I’ve actually come to really enjoy working with constitutions).
Is there a message you’d like to share with the synod and the wider church?
I know that it’s a tough time to be the church. However, I also know that our faith calls for us to look for hope where we least expect it. I have a lot of hope for the church.
