Kevin T. Shock, Howard, Pa., was elected Nov. 1 to serve as bishop of the Allegheny Synod of the ELCA. The election took place during the synod assembly, Oct. 31–Nov. 1 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pa.
Shock was elected on the fifth ballot, with 118 votes. Ralph Hamer, director of spiritual care and congregational relations at Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries in Altoona, received 47 votes.
The bishop-elect has served the Allegheny Synod as assistant to the bishop since 2022 and as director for evangelical mission from 2022 to 2023. Previously he served as pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Pleasant Gap, Pa., from 2006 to 2022.
Shock will take office Feb. 1, 2026, and be installed Feb. 7 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Johnstown, Pa. Barbara Collins has served as interim bishop since 2024.
