BISHOP ELECTION

About the Bishop Election

Our synod will elect a new bishop in June 2025. In anticipation of that election, the synod council formed a discernment team. Their purpose is to:

1. design and carry out a process that allows for care and discernment of nominees

2. invite the people of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod into a time of listening opportunities and prayerful discernment concerning the needs, hopes, and realities of our life together as the body of Christ

3. provide useful information to those who will participate in the election

Bishop Election Discernment Team Members:

• Rev. Allyn Itterly, Christ Duquesne (Retired)

• Barbara Nugent, Vice President, Bethlehem Glenshaw

• Holly Schmitt, Messiah Munhall

Questions should be directed to: election2025@swpasynod.org

SAVE the dates

Synod Assembly 2025

• Saturday, May 17, 2025
  One Morning on Zoom Only
  Ecclesiastical First Ballot

• Thursday, June 12 thru
  Saturday, June 14, 2025
  In-Person Only
  @ La Roche University
  9000 Babcock Blvd.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Important Deadlines

• Results of the first ballot are posted on or before May 19

• Names may be removed by those nominated by May 23 at 3 PM Eastern

• The final list of names for the second Ballot published on May 23 by 5 PM.

Preparing as a Synod

Discernment and hearing the call of the Holy Spirit is something that happens both as individuals and communally. We will call a bishop together, so the discernment team is encouraging us to also prepare together. To guide our prayerful consideration of how God is leading us, we will offer a series of prayers and devotional resources beginning August 2024 through the 2025 Synod Assembly. Please share these prayers in your congregation as well, whether through the bulletin, newsletter, or incorporated into your worship service.

You can watch the recording of our informational meeting to learn more. (Video passcode: zK@S!j!3)

Prayer for May

Gracious God, you bless your people with a variety of gifts. Guide with your wisdom those voting members who will elect a bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA, that we may receive a faithful servant who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(If it is helpful to your congregation staff to have the next month’s prayers in advance, you may download the entire year’s schedule.)

What kind of Bishop is God Calling?

That is a question we all have a hand in answering. Part of the discernment team’s value to our synod is to assist in identifying the synod's future mission and challenges, as well as the leadership skills our next bishop will need. The Landscape Assessment taken in 2023 asked this question, which gives us a head start in identifying what some in our synod have said are the most important skills and qualities our next bishop will need.

This work that has already been done is a great start, but it is not complete without your input. Please share your thoughts, either by attending one of the two in-person information gatherings in November with others from the Synod (see below) or by completing this individual questionnaire.

How do we call a Bishop?
According to our Synod’s constitution (S9.04), the bishop shall be elected by the Synod Assembly by ecclesiastical ballot.  Three-fourths of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election on the first ballot. If no one is elected, the first ballot shall be considered the nominating ballot. Three-fourths of the legal votes cast on the second ballot shall be necessary for election. The third ballot shall be limited to the seven persons (plus ties) who received the greatest number of legal votes on the second ballot, and two-thirds of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. The fourth ballot shall be limited to the three person (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the third ballot, and 60% of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. On subsequent ballots a majority of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. These ballots shall be limited to the two persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the previous ballot.

When do we vote on a new bishop?
The 2025 Synod Assembly for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA will open on Zoom only, May 17, 2025.  The order of business will include the first ballot for bishop.

What is an Ecclesiastical ballot? 
Ballot begins blank.  Each voting member may write the name of ONLY ONE eligible individual on the ballot before casting the ballot. The first ballot is the nominating ballot if no election occurs, defining the total slate of nominees for possible election on subsequent ballot with no additional nominations permitted.

Does the nominee need to be a Pastor in our Synod?
Eligible nominees are ministers of Word and Sacrament (pastors) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They do not need to be currently serving or residing in our synod. They can be retired, interim, on leave from call, etc.

As a voting member of the 2025 Assembly, what information will I need when completing the first ballot?
You will need the exact legal name, spelled correctly, of the person you are nominating. Identifying information such as their address and phone number and/or the Synod they are currently a member of. Many people have the same name. It is recommended that you obtain their permission prior to casting your ballot. 

Who is allowed to vote for bishop?
All registered voting members of the 2025 Assembly for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA.

How many names can I write on the ballot? 
Only one.

How many ballots can I cast?
Only one.

What should I do if I don’t know anyone to nominate on the first ballot? 
Please have conversations with your own Pastor and others prior to the May 17 Zoom assembly in 2025.  After prayerful consideration and conversations, if you still have no name to write in, then you do not submit a ballot.  You are not required to submit a ballot.

If we elect a bishop on May 17, are we still meeting in person in June?
Yes. Should there be 3/4 legal votes cast for a single nominee during the May 17, 2025, Synod Assembly on Zoom, we will still be meeting to reconvene the Synod Assembly on June 12, 2025. 

When will we know the results of the first ballot?
The results of the first ballot will be posted online on or before May 19, 2025.

If my name appears on the first ballot, what should I do next?
If you are open to serving if elected, you need not respond to have your name advance in the ballot process.  All nominees who do not act to remove their name will be included on the second ballot.  If your name has not been withdrawn by May 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM, you will receive the biographical form to complete and return by May 31, 2025. 

If you are not open to serving if elected, you must indicate that you wish to have your name removed from the ballot process.  You must do this by May 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM.

Will I receive information on each nominee appearing on the second ballot? 
The biographical information submitted for each nominee appearing on the second ballot will be distributed to all registered voting members on or before June 5, 2025.

As a registered voting member of my congregation, do I need to commit to attend both the May 17th Zoom Assembly and the in-person June 12-14 Assembly?
Yes, you will need to commit to attend both the Zoom and in-person Assemblies.

What if I attend the May 17th Zoom Assembly as a voting member from my congregation but then am unable to attend the in-person June Assembly?
If you are unable to fulfill your commitment as a voting member of the 2025 Assembly, you will need to notify the Chair of the Committee on Registration and Attendance with your valid excuse.  Your Congregation Council may elect a new voting member to attend the June Assembly in your place. This new information will need to be reported to the Committee on Registration and Attendance immediately.

Will background checks be required of each nominee for bishop?Yes, background checks are required for all officers of the synod.