Title: Boerger Elected Bishop of ELCA Northwest Washington Synod
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 18, 2001

BOERGER ELECTED BISHOP OF ELCA NORTHWEST WASHINGTON SYNOD
01-166-MP*/JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. William "Chris" Boerger was elected
June 16 to a six-year term as bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Boerger, 52, is
pastor at Northlake Lutheran Church, Kenmore, Wash.
     The incumbent bishop, the Rev. Donald H. Maier, was seeking re-
election but was eliminated from consideration after the third ballot
for bishop.
     Boerger, who led on all ballots, was elected on the fourth ballot
for bishop, 252-226 over the Rev. R. James Rismiller, Lord of Life
Lutheran Church, Renton, Wash.  On the third ballot, Boerger had 216
votes, Rismiller had 185 votes, and Maier had 87 votes.  There were
eight nominees on the first ballot.
     Boerger will become bishop Aug. 1.  Maier, 65, has served as the
synod's bishop since 1995.
     Boerger has served on the ELCA Region 1 Coordinating Council and
the ELCA Northwest Washington Synod Council.  Region 1 is a grouping of
six ELCA synods in the northwestern United States, including the
Northwest Washington Synod.  Boerger is also involved in several local
community service organizations.
     Boerger was born in Columbus, Ohio.  He earned a bachelor's degree
from Pacific Lutheran University, an ELCA higher education institution
in Tacoma, Wash.  Boerger earned a master of divinity from Christ
Seminary-Seminex, St. Louis.  He was ordained in 1978.
     He served as pastor at Lutheran Church in the San Juans,
Eastsound, Wash., and Central Lutheran Church, Everett, Wash.  In 1990,
Boerger became pastor at Northlake Lutheran Church.
     Boerger and his wife DeDe are parents of two grown children.
     The ELCA Northwest Washington Synod has 58,890 baptized members in
119 congregations.  Its offices are in Seattle.
-- -- --
[*Margit R. Peiffle is communication specialist with the ELCA Northwest
Washington Synod.]


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