A Transition on the Bishop's Team

"And now we commend you to God and to the word of God's grace, a word that is able to build you up..." (Acts 20:32)

We rejoice with the Rev. Amy Kienzle, our Director for Evangelical Mission, as she has accepted the call to serve as the Senior Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sacramento.

We celebrate this exciting next step in Pr. Amy's ministry and give thanks for the faithful leadership she has offered to the Sierra Pacific Synod as a key member of the Bishop’s Team. Through her vision, creativity, and deep commitment to the gospel, Pr Amy has helped nurture new ministries, accompany congregations and leaders, and strengthen our shared witness across the synod. Her wisdom, collaborative spirit, and passion for God's mission have been a true gift.

Here’s a copy of the letter that Pr. Amy has sent to the Synod Council.

Over the next couple of months, Pr. Amy will work closely with me, the Mission Table, and the rest of the Bishop's Team to ensure a smooth transition as she prepares to begin this new call. We are grateful for the care she is taking during this season of change.

Please join us in giving thanks to God for Pr. Amy's ministry among us and in praying for her, for the people of St. John's Lutheran Church, and for all who will share in this new chapter of ministry. We commend her with confidence and gratitude to the grace of God, trusting that the One who has called her will continue to bless her ministry in this new community.

We have opened the application and will soon be calling a new Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission (DEM). If you or someone you know feels called to this ministry, the application for the Director for Evangelical Mission position is available here. Please submit your application. 

We look forward to Pr. Amy’s leadership at St. John’s and give thanks for the continuing ways she will serve the synod’s collaborative ministry on the way of Jesus, together. 

+Jeff

The Rev. Jeff R. Johnson

Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America