CHICAGO -- The Rev. Albert P. Stauderman, former editor for

The Lutheran, the magazine of the former Lutheran Church in America

(LCA), and pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),

died Nov. 3 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., where he lived. Stauderman,

92, died following a lengthy illness.

Though Stauderman is best known in the church for his 27-year

career with The Lutheran, he also authored several books. They include

"Forty Proven Ways to a Successful Church," "My Congregation at Work,"

"Understanding My Congregation," "Earth Has No Sorrow," "Facts About

Lutherans" and "Our New Church." He also wrote two widely used

religious education texts, "Journey Through Acts" and "Words of Warning

and Forgiveness."

The ELCA was formed in 1988 through a merger of the LCA, the

American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran

Churches.

In 1972, Stauderman was first elected editor of The Lutheran and

director of the LCA Commission on Church Papers. He was re-elected

editor in 1974 and 1976 before retiring in 1978.

Stauderman moved to Philadelphia to join the staff of The Lutheran

as associate editor in 1951, when it was the weekly magazine of the

former United Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor to the LCA. He

was also managing editor of Muhlenberg Press. In 1970, he became the

magazine's executive editor. Stauderman became acting editor and acting

commission director in 1971 before he was elected editor.

In 1978, Stauderman was quoted in an article in The Lutheran,

offering advice to the members of the management committee of the LCA

Office of Communication shortly before he retired. The article was

written by the Rev. Edgar R. Trexler, Stauderman's successor.

"Be modest," Stauderman said in The Lutheran article. "Writing

that is concise, simple and easy-to-read is appreciated. Second, speak

out, stating your positions clearly. Third, expect changes, whether

they be in salary scales, or in the types of articles which need to be

printed. Finally, keep your cool even when there is trouble with the

typesetter or when readers get upset." Following retirement,

Stauderman served as an interim pastor at congregations in Boca Raton,

Tequesta and Lake Park, all in Florida.

Stauderman was born in 1910 in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

In 1931, he

earned a bachelor's degree from Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y., and

in 1934 earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Hartwick Theological

Seminary, Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1936, Stauderman earned a masters degree

from Columbia University, New York. He was awarded honorary doctorates

by Wagner College and Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.; both are

ELCA-affiliated higher education institutions.

Before he entered the ministry, Stauderman was a staff writer and

copy editor for the New York Times for six years. Following his

ordination in 1934, he served 18 months as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran

Church, Mount Vernon, and served 16 years as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran

Church, Teaneck, N.J.

He was one of the organizers of the New Jersey Synod and was first

president of its Northern Conference. Stauderman was a member of many

boards and committees of the Lutheran church, president of the National

Lutheran Editors Association and a director of the Associated Church

Press.

In 1965, he received the Distinguished Service Award from Lutheran

Brotherhood, and in 1981, he received the 50-year "Key for Lifetime

Achievement" from Wagner College.

Stauderman was preceded in death by Martha, his wife of 54 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, whom he married in 2000, a son, Albert

Jr., Wilton, Conn., a daughter, Susan Deckhart, Fairless Hills, Pa., and

eight grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m., Nov. 8 at St. John

Lutheran Church, Lake Park, Fla., where Stauderman was a member.

By Hoan Soo Lee
editor@chtoday.com