ELCA NEWS SERVICE May 19, 2008 Michael Burk Elected Bishop of ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod 08-065-JD* IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Rev. Michael L. Burk, executive, Worship and Liturgical Resources, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago, was elected May 17 to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod. He was elected on the fourth ballot for bishop during the synod assembly here May 16-18. On the fourth ballot, Burk received 312 votes to 92 for the Rev. Kurt R. Nordby, assistant to the bishop, ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod, and director, Illowa Lutheran Coalition, Rock Island, Ill., and 65 for the Rev. Jennifer L. Henry, Zion Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa. There were 68 names on the nominating ballot. Burk, 53, will succeed the Rev. Philip L. Hougen, who has served the synod as bishop since August 1996. Hougen, 64, announced previously he will retire July 31. Burk will be installed as bishop in a Sept. 6 service. Born in Grinnell, Iowa, Burk is a graduate of Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, and Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. He earned a doctorate in American studies from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Wartburg College is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities; Wartburg Seminary is one of eight ELCA seminaries. Ordained in 1986 Burk served as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Dysart, Iowa, and St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Waverly, and as interim pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Newton, Iowa, and Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City. In 2001 Burk became ELCA director for worship. He oversaw the churchwide "Renewing Worship" project, which developed the ELCA's new series of "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" resources. Burk and his wife Diane are parents of three children. The Burks reside in Mount Prospect, Ill. The ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod consists of approximately 97,000 baptized Lutherans in 150 congregations across 38 counties in central and southeastern Iowa. The synod office is located in Iowa City. -- -- -- Information about the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod is at http://www.seiasynod.org on the Web. * Jodi Deike is communications director for the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod, Iowa City. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog