The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America consists of 65 synods which are configured into nine regions. Each synod elects a bishop to oversee the administration of the synod and its staff.
The Rev. Stacie Fidlar was elected on June 18, 2022, to serve a six-year term as the fourth bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod. Her term of service as Bishop of the Synod began on September 1, 2022, and she will be installed by the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Reverend Elizabeth Eaton on October 8, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford.
As bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod, Bishop Fidlar serves as the Synod’s pastor of Word and Sacrament. She is the Synod’s President and Chief Executive and Administrative Officer, spiritual leader, preacher, and teacher. Bishop Fidlar is honored to serve as one of the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Board of Directors including serving as a member of its Executive Committee and to also serve on the Board of Trustees of Augustana College, which includes serving on the Campus Planning Committee and the Advancement Committee.
Bishop Fidlar earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion with Asian Studies concentration from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL in 1991 and her Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1995. She completed the Shalem Institute Group Leaders Program in 2002 and participates in ongoing continuing education with foci on leadership, spirituality, and foundation management. Bishop Fidlar has served as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rock Island, IL since 1999. She served as pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Seneca, IL from 1995-1999 and as interim pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, IL in 1995.
