New presiding pastor for the AALC

by | Aug 12, 2022

The AALC’s new presiding pastor, Rev. Dr. Cary Larson (third from right), poses with three of his predecessors in office. Pictured (l-r) are: Rev. Dr. Curtis Leins, Rev. Dr. Duane R. Lindberg, Dr. Larson, and Rev. Dr. Thomas Aadland.
AALC Presiding Pastor Cary Larson

USA – The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) held its 28th General Convention from June 21-24, 2022 in Plymouth, Minnesota, during which time the church elected Rev. Dr. Cary Larson to serve as its new presiding pastor. The convention gathered under the theme “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of Jesus Christ,” drawn from Colossians 3:12-17.

“I am blessed beyond measure and extremely humbled to have received the call to be the fifth presiding pastor of the American Association of Lutheran Churches,” Dr. Larson wrote on social media following his installation.

Dr. Cary Larson is installed as presiding pastor of the AALC.

Dr. Larson succeeds Rev. Dr. Curtis Leins, who was first elected to the role in 2004. Dr. Leins installed Dr. Larson as presiding pastor during an evening service on June 23, assisted by Rev. Dr. Duane R. Lindberg, who led the AALC from its founding in 1987 until 1999.

Dr. Larson previously served the AALC as Assistant Presiding Pastor. Until his election as Presiding Pastor, he also served as pastor of Christ Lutheran in Waseca, Minnesota, a call he held for 12 years. Dr. Larson also serves as an Adjunct Professor with the AALC’s seminary, the American Lutheran Theological Seminary. He holds a doctorate of ministry from the Institute of Lutheran Theology.

The American Association of Lutheran Churches is a member of the International Lutheran Council, a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies.

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By Mathew Block

Mathew Block is Communications Manager for the International Lutheran Council. He is also editor of The Canadian Lutheran magazine, and formerly served as Communications Manager for Lutheran Church–Canada.

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