07/23/2014

Kevin Strickland Named ELCA Worship Director

CHICAGO (ELCA) – The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland, Nashville, Tenn., has been named new director for worship formation and liturgical resources at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide organization effective August 24, 2014.

“It is a true joy for me to accept the call to this position and to work with brothers and sisters around the ELCA in what is central to our mission -- worship,” said Strickland. “Worship is at the heart of our mission as Christ’s church and provides an opportunity for us to be made whole and encounter the holy. Worship equips us to be disciples in this world, striving for justice and in doing so, we return often to the heart of our mission to be re-charged and fed.”

“Kevin brings the grounding of daily parish ministry to this position,” said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, executive director of ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission. “Kevin has also been a leader in most of the tables supporting the linking of liturgy with mission. He will bring a unique voice and leadership to a church deeply engaged in being church first, but a church in mission together for the life of the world,” he said.

The ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Congregational and Synodical Mission program unit are “delighted to welcome Rev. Kevin Strickland,” said Evelyn Soto, ELCA director of synod partners for mission and unit operations. “Kevin’s passion for worship and liturgy will benefit and impact the wider ELCA, liturgical resource development and our Lutheran Center worship.”

Strickland earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion, philosophy and history from Newberry College in Newberry, S.C., one of 26 colleges and universities of the ELCA. He earned a Masters of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C., one of eight ELCA seminaries.

Strickland is pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, and was pastor of St. Paul Lutheran in Maryville, Tenn. He has served in the area of youth and family ministry at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Columbia, S.C., St. Philip’s Lutheran in Newberry, and Lutheran Church of Redeemer in Newberry, and Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in West Columbia, S.C.
He served as chair of the ELCA Southeastern Synod Worship Team, president of the board for Lutheran Services in Tennessee, member of the ELCA Southeastern Synod Immigration and Refugee Task Force and the ELCA Southeastern Synod Council.

Strickland succeeds the Rev. Peter J. L. Perella, who passed away February 24, 2014.