Eastern North Dakota Synod

2008 Synod Assembly

Harold "Chris" Hallanger

Harold "Chris" Hallanger
Date of Ordination: 7/29/1973

Current Position: Pastor of St. John and Bethany Lutheran Churches, Hatton

Congregation of Membership: St. John Lutheran Church, Hatton

Previous Positions:

Lead Pastor, Grafton Lutheran, Grafton
Pastor, Northwood ELC and Washington Lutheran Churches
Mission Developer, Lutheran Church of the Cross, West Fargo
Pastor, Emmanuel and Galchutt Lutheran Churches, Abercrombie
Associate Pastor, Maddock Lutheran Parish

Education:

BA in English - Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (1965-1969)
M. Div. - Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN (1969-1973)

Current and Past Board, Committee, and Community Involvement:
(Outside of Congregational Responsibility)

Now: Hatton Eielson Museum Board; area pastors' group; Chair, Mayville Conference; Chair, Synod Global Mission Committee.

Have been involved with: Northwood School Booster Club; hospital Bioethics Committees in Grafton and Northwood; Ecumenical Ministerial Associations in Hatton, Grafton and West Fargo; thrift store board in Grafton; Toastmasters; Lions; Exchange Club; Kiwanis; former ALC District Council and Stewardship Committee.

How do you debscribe yourself theologically?

First, I would bring over thirty years of experience as a parish pastor in our Synod. I have served in multiple-congregation parishes, as an associate, and as a lead pastor. Second, I would bring a global perspective because I was born and raised in Madagascar by Lutheran missionary parents. And I also serve on our Synod Global Mission Committee and have been on a trip to visit our Companion Synod, the Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic. Third, I would bring ecumenical experiences that I have had as mission developer of Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo. That congregation was developed together with the Holy Cross Catholic Church and has a common bell tower and fellowship/education area with them.

What gifts do you believe you would bring to the office of the bishop in the Eastern North Dakota Synod?

The roles of a synodical bishop in our Synod is to 1) be a pastor to the pastors and leaders of the Synod congregations. This role includes the call to encourage pastors and leaders to have a vision of the Church beyond the congregation so that they can be excited about their local part of the world-wide mission of Christ's Church. 2) cooperate with the other Synods in Regional and Churchwide work and cooperate with the other Bishops; and 3) be a part of the ELCA Churchwide work so that our congregations and Synod can be connected with and work together with a broader vision of Christ's Church.

What is your concept of the primary roles of a synodical bishop in the Eastern North Dakota Synod?

What are the key skills required of the bishop in the Eastern North Dakota Synod?

To preach God's Word and to administer the sacraments in the congregations of the Synod. To listen to pastors and people in our Synod and to encourage them in their work. To interpret the work of our Synod and Churchwide ELCA so that congregations feel a part of a larger expression of the Church. To connect Synod ministries and the whole ELCA with congregational life.

How do you practice care of other and yourself?

I care for myself by taking time for daily prayer and Bible reading; exercising on a treadmill several times a week; reading every day; taking time for my hobbies of restoring an old farm house, refinishing furniture, working in my carpentry shop, doing family history and traveling to be with our family. I care for others by being with my wife and family, by visiting people in the parish, and by being a part of our weekly Conference Pastors' Sunday text study and lunch group where we support each other while learning from each other.