The Rev. William Baum
Current Position: Pastor
Congregation Membership: Saint Barnabas Lutheran Church
Date and Year of Birth: 8/2/59
Date and Year of Ordination: 7/25/92
Previous Positions:
Parish Administrator at Church of the Epiphany, Manhattan
Assistant Registrar at Lehman College, Bronx
Education and Earned Degrees (with institutions and years, most recent first):
General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, M.Div. 1991
Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition, Concordia College, Bronxville 1981
List up to five (5) current or past synod or churchwide activities that would inform your service as bishop of this synod.
Synod Executive Committee/Synod Council
Chair of the Gathered Strategy Committee
Chair of the Christian Ethics Dialog on Ministry with Gay & Lesbian People
Chair of the Congregational Viability Norms Committee
Voting Member of Churchwide Assemblies.
List up to five (5) current or past community-related activities that would inform your service as bishop of this synod.
Chaplain of the West Hamilton Beach Fire Dept.
CEO of Boy Scout & Girl Scout Troops
9/11 Response Coordinator in Southwest Queens
Chair of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialog of Brooklyn & Queens
Off-Ice Official for the Long Island Amateur Hockey League
What gifts would you bring to the office of bishop of this synod? (1,000 characters maximum, with spaces)
Having chaired a number of our synod committees, I bring broad exposure to and experience with addressing significant issues that our synod has faced. As a parish pastor for 27 years, serving as a conference dean, member of the Executive Committee and Synod Council, I've been honored to work with people from all walks of our synod's territory. I am passionate and committed to Word and Sacrament ministry, and to promoting the gospel, active in love, throughout our metropolitan region. I have a deep knowledge of the history and traditions of our synod. I am grateful for this opportunity to be considered to serve this ministry.
What do you see as the principal challenge to this synod in the next six (6) years, and how would you address it? (1,000 characters maximum, with spaces)
Our synod's principal challenge is that facing nearly all faith traditions in contemporary society. As increasing numbers of people commit their time and energies to pursuits outside of the church, how will we respond both faithfully and with bold innovation to this new reality? As a principle author of our synod's strategic plan, I have been given the opportunity to "think outside the box." I am certain, that as we put our hearts and minds and prayers into creative outreach, we have ample resources to meet this new world. And we have the natural advantage of racial, ethnic, cultural and geographical diversity. And we need everyone's gifts!
Describe your leadership style. (1,000 characters maximum, with spaces)
I like to look at the big picture, trying to see things in the broader perspective. I may be that rare person that just loves committee work. I find it exhilarating to work as a team drawing upon the wisdom and experience of others. Delegating responsibilities to those best qualified to undertake them is the way to go. In all this, I am, and will remain, a leader with a pastor's heart.