Elected bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod on June 7, Stephen Herr places the call to proclaim the gospel front and center in his ministry, to be led by a diverse network of rostered ministers and lay leaders.
Herr, who has served as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, Pa., since 1999, connected with Living Lutheran about faithfully venturing in Jesus’ footsteps into new and unexpected places and trusting the Spirit for guidance. He will take office Sept. 1 and be installed Oct. 25 in Hanover, Pa.
Living Lutheran: What do you see as the biggest priorities for the synod, and what is your vision for its future?
Herr: Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ while caring for those who deliver and receive it remains the principal priority for our synod. God entrusts this sacred responsibility to the church alone. We are called to walk together as rostered ministers and congregations, holding this gospel treasure in our hearts, minds and hands. Fulfilling this important priority requires a commitment of faith, courage, dedication and openness to new ventures.
I envision a reimagined synod, embracing new avenues of collaboration and paths to identify and theologically train both rostered ministers and synod-authorized lay ministers. A synod refreshed and renewed by the fountain of God’s love will connect congregations to the wider Lutheran church—the ELCA and the Lutheran World Federation—as well as to our ecumenical partners while simultaneously fostering, encouraging and supporting local efforts to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How did you feel when you were elected?
I was humbled and honored by the call to serve as bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. I am reminded of the great cloud of witnesses who have served in this role throughout Christian history, and I pray for God’s wisdom, guidance, strength and inspiration to follow where they have led the way.
What have you learned in your ministry that you might incorporate into your approach to leading the synod?
The importance of being relational and pastorally present in the lives of those you serve, and the importance of being theologically grounded in our Lutheran confessional tradition—with its emphasis on God’s grace through faith and the centrality of the cross—have been foundational for my ministry. I look forward to carrying this ministry of presence and theological rootedness to the office of the bishop’s ministry of oversight, teaching, justice work and service.
As I begin this new call, I look to draw on my over 30 years of pastoral ministry experience to root me in word and sacrament ministry. My service on the ELCA Church Council, on the [United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg] board of directors and as an ELCA ecumenical liaison has shaped my understanding and appreciation for the ELCA, its history, its ecumenical partnerships and its Spirit-led possibilities for the future.
Is there a message you’d like to share with the synod and the wider church?
The author of Hebrews invites us to look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith. Following in the path of Christ, I pray for the Lower Susquehanna Synod and the ELCA to embrace Jesus’ pioneering spirit and be willing to trailblaze, take risks, experiment, implement change and explore new ways to collaborate, partner and support one another as we embrace new ministry opportunities to share God’s inclusive love and forgiveness with all people.
