2002 Synod Assembly

Speakers

Dr. David Tiede, Keynote
Ms. Myna Sheie, Report of the Bishop, ELCA
Rev. Ruben Duran, Bible Study

Dr. David Tiede, Keynote
Dr. David Tiede was named president of Luther Seminary in 1987 after serving on the faculty in the New Testament department for 16 years.

Tiede holds a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, attended Princeton Theological Seminary, and earned a B.D. degree from Luther Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. degree from Harvard University.

Tiede’s teaching career from 1967-1971 included time spent teaching Greek at Harvard Divinity School and New Testament at Harvard University.

Tiede is currently a board member of Tentmakers Ministries and co-chair of the Luke-Acts Seminar of the Society of Biblical Literature.

His most recent of nine books include Jesus and the Future and Holy Week: Proclamation 4.

Ms. Myrna Sheie, Report of the Bishop, ELCA
Ms. Myrna Sheie serves as the executive assistant to Bishop Mark Hanson for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As one of three assistants to Bishop Hanson, Ms. Sheie shares leadership responsibilities for staff services on behalf of the bishop, including planning and budgeting processes; prepares agendas for the ELCA Church Council and Churchwide Assembly; and serves as a liaison with ELCA boards, committees, and staff.

She is the author of many articles and of two publications: Youth and Adults Together and Growing With Television. She initiated and coordinated development of two books: Songs for a New Creation and FaithPrints, a devotional book for youth written by young people.

Prior to her current position, she served for 11 years as assistant to the bishop in the ELCA’s Saint Paul Area Synod.

Rev. Ruben Duran, Bible Study
Rev. Ruben Duran is a native of Lima, Peru. He was introduced to the Lutheran Church through the work of missionaries. He received a BA in Business Administration from the Escuela Nacional de Turismo, and worked as a Travel Agent prior to coming to the Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle.

He received a BS in Christian Education in 1979 from LBI. His master in Divinity degree was received from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkely, CA. He served parishes in North Bend, WA and Los Angeles, CA prior to being called as Associate to the Bishop and Mission Director in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

He currently serves as Executive for Congregational Outreach Services in the Division for Outreach, ELCA. Ruben has done extensive work in Urban Ministry, Hispanic Mission Development and Ethnic-Specific Outreach initiatives throughout the ELCA. His wife Jean is an ordained pastor serving Living Lord Lutheran Church in Bartlett, IL. They have 3 daughters: Rebeca (16), Sara (13) and Anna (9).