The Rev. Angela "Angie" Shannon
Biographical Information
Current Position:
Assistant to the Bishop, MNYS
Congregation Membership:
Trinity Lutheran Church, Wyandanch, NY
Date and Year of Birth:
12/24/61
Date and Year of Ordination:
01/12/97
Previous Positions:
Solo Pastor, Augustana Ev Lutheran Church, Houston, TX 1997-2000 (TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod)
Associate Pastor, Trinity English Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN (IK Synod) 2002-2008
Light of the Cross Food Pantry Coordinator, A ministry of Faith Lutheran Church (IK Synod)
Intentional Interim Pastor, Advent Lutheran Church, Sylvania, OH (NEOS) Synod
Intentional Interim Pastor Calvary Lutheran Church, Angola, IN (IK Synod)
Associate Pastor, King of Glory Lutheran Church Dallas, TX (NTNL Synod)
Dean of Students, Luther Seminary (Mpls Area Synod)
Solo Pastor, All Saints Lutheran Church, Bowie, MD (Metro DC Synod)
Education and Earned Degrees (with institutions and years, most recent first):
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Miv., 1996; Valparaiso University,Valparaiso, IN, BA 1984
List up to five (5) current or past community-related activities that would inform your
service as bishop of this synod:
I am a Triathlete--training for a triathlon has taught me the most about tenacity. Failure is built into the sport! It continues to teach me that I can do "hard things"
I have served as the National Vice President of the African Descent Association.
I joined the Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice (membership pending)
I have served a term as a board member on the following organizations: Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries; United Way of Fort Wayne, IN to name a few.
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):
There is not one principal challenge impacting this synod and the larger church. They are legion! Working on the bishop’s staff of the Metropolitan New York Synod has alerted me to this reality.
The clergy shortage is the most impactful affecting most mainline denominations including ours. Seminary debt affects one’s choosing a church vocation. As such, I serve on a Task Force regarding seminary debt. Another reality that leaves churches struggling is the fallout from the Covid Pandemic. It catapulted the church into the digital era, but it also left us to grapple with questions like “How do we handle the Eucharist?” Questions of this nature compound the continuing struggles of the church regarding stewardship, evangelism and care of creation. These very tangible realities must be balanced with our need for Christ-life-changing encounters. Article VII of the Augsburg Confession reminds us that “one holy Church is to continue forever.” This is hope and comfort.
List up to five (5) current or past synod or churchwide activities that would inform your
service as bishop of this synod:
ELCA Task Force to Address Seminary Debt
ELCA’s Committee on Discipline
Served on I-K Synod Synod Council, Bishop Jim Stuck
Served on Metropolitan DC Synod’s Council, Bishop Lelia Ortiz
Anti-Racism Educator, for WELCA, Today’s Dream Tomorrow’s Reality (15 years)
Describe your leadership style. (1,000 characters maximum):
My leadership style is largely collaborative. People support what the build together. My end game along with themajority of Christians, is to hear the words, “Well done good and faithful servant,” from our God, sibling and savior Jesus Christ. There are various ways and opinions as to how to get there. Listening deeply to each other in humility and prayer has been effective for me. I surround myself with experts in their careers or fields of study because I am wise enough to no one has all the answers. Discernment through prayer anchors me and I trust the Holy Spirit speaks through each of us. I take to heart the priesthood of all believers.
What gifts would you bring to the office of bishop of this synod? (1,000 characters
maximum):
I have served in six synods over the course of 28 years (TX-LA, IN-KY, NTNL, MN Area Synod, Metro, DC and Metro NY Synod) and sat as a member of two synod councils (IN-KY, and Metro DC). I have seen the ELCA in its varied glory; at its zenith and its nadir—at its highest and lowest. Still, I love the church (particularly local congregations) because it is the surest way to introduce people to the God who already knows and loves them.
I am confident in my in administrative abilities having placed more than 10 pastors to date. I am an intentional interim by training focusing on conflict transformation which reflects every Christian’s mission—reconciliation. This does not mean we will always agree but all of us can come around Christ and work towards God mission.