Stephen Bouman served as a parish pastor in New York City and New Jersey, as bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod, as Executive Director of Domestic Mission for the ELCA, and on the board of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. He is a teacher, lecturer, and author. His book The Mission Table is used by congregations throughout the church for mission planning. Mark S. Hanson was a parish pastor and bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod of the ELCA prior to being elected presiding bishop of the ELCA in 2001
