2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly elects new vice president

Imran Siddiqui of St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, was elected to a six-year term as vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The assembly — the highest legislative authority of the ELCA — is meeting Aug. 8-12 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Siddiqui was elected on the fifth ballot with 550 votes to 264 votes for Roberto Lara Aranda of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Manhattan, N.Y.

"The top three people for this position were people of color, and that's fantastic. ... That doesn't mean we have solved racism yet. We have a lot of work to do, church. We have a lot of work to do and I'm confident; I believe we can do it," said Siddiqui, addressing the assembly following the election.

Siddiqui, who grew up Muslim and became a Lutheran in 2011, has served as vice president of the Southeastern Synod since 2018.

The position of vice president is the highest a layperson can hold in the ELCA. Carlos Peña is currently serving as interim vice president following the death of Bill Horne last August. Horne was elected vice president by the 2016 Churchwide Assembly.

"I thank you for your faith in me," Siddiqui told the assembly. "I will try not to let you down."