Role of the Bishop

Dear Leaders of Congregations,

You have been invited into a synod wide conversation for a number of months focusing on the primary question, “What is God calling this synod to be about in its mission in the next six years?”

This month we want to focus that question around The Role of the Office of the Bishop.

As we move toward our Synod Assembly, (May 31-June 2) at the Waterway Marriott Hotel in The Woodlands, TX, there is building interest in how the election of a new bishop will evolve and conclude.  Over a year ago, a task force was appointed to examine the various models that have been used in the ELCA in the election process for a Bishop.  The task force came back to the Synod Council with a recommendation that our synod continue to use the format connected to an “Ecclesiastical Ballot” rather than using a different model.  This kind of election process is outlined in the Synod Constitution. 

The discernment of congregational members and especially of voting members at the Synod Assembly (who will cast the votes that result in the election of a new bishop) should be informed by a clear understanding of how we, as a Lutheran church body, understands what this call to service includes and is really about.  That is what this month’s conversation centers our attention on.

Synodical Bishop

A synodical bishop is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA, given the responsibility to provide pastoral care and leadership in a synod and its congregations, and seeks to strengthen the unity of the Church. The bishop is the chief executive officer of the synod, elected to a term of six years and may be reelected.  (ELCA Web site on Leadership)

Click Here to go to the responses to Question 7