The Rev. Dr. Michael Burk developed his faith as a student at Wartburg and his love for music as a member of the Wartburg Choir — both of which carried through his career as a caretaker of the church.
After graduating in 1977 with majors in mathematics and business administration, Burk was a high school math teacher and on the actuarial staff at what was then Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Co. He then earned his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa. Burk’s doctoral dissertation focused on the exclusion of gay and lesbian parishioners from full life in the church several years before the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America changed its position to full inclusion.
After serving as head pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School in Waverly, Burk was called to serve the ELCA as the executive for worship and liturgical resources, where he oversaw the creation of the church’s current hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. He was then elected bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod from 2008-2020. In that role, he advocated for solutions to hunger and poverty, frequently representing the ELCA in international settings.
Burk has volunteered on numerous boards, including Lutheran Services in Iowa, and continues to actively be involved in mission work at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn. He briefly exited retirement in 2023-2024 to serve as the ELCA’s interim presiding bishop.
Burk has served on the Wartburg College Board of Regents, on the Commission Wartburg Academic Programs Task Force, and as co-chair of both the college’s sesquicentennial committee and the Alumni Board. He and his wife, Diane, are members of Heritage Society.
Michael Burk has enriched the Wartburg story as a faithful servant to his alma mater and community. In appreciation of his servant-leadership and in recognition of his longtime service, the Board of Regents hereby awards the Wartburg Medal to the Rev. Dr. Michael Burk.
Edina, Minn.
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