OREGON SYNOD BISHOP'S ELECTION TASK FORCE
Frequently Asked Questions
download PDF document or a Word doc with a complete list of questions

1.) Who is eligible to be nominated for the position of bishop?
Any pastor on the ELCA clergy roster is eligible for nomination.

2) What does a bishop do?
Historically, the bishop’s main function is to keep congregations, ministries, pastors, and people connected with one another, with the whole Church on earth, and with the Communion of Saints throughout the ages.

3) How long is the term of bishop in the ELCA?
A bishop’s term is six years, and a bishop is eligible for re-election.

4) Why does this process seem different from the way we’ve always done it?
The Oregon Synod has been blessed by the wise and faithful leadership of Bishop Paul Swanson for almost 18 years. This year, he has indicated that he will not be considered for another six-year term. The Synod Council then appointed a Bishop’s Election Task Force, made up of lay and rostered leaders from Oregon, to review and facilitate this important process of electing a new bishop.

5) What will this process look like?

In February 2007, congregations and individuals will be asked to submit names of pastors whom they believe might have the gifts and inclination to serve as bishop. Any pastor on the ELCA clergy roster is eligible to be named. This step does not constitute a nomination for the office of bishop. Nominations will be made at the Synod Assembly.

In April 2007, the Bishop’s Election Task force will publish a resource providing information on all pastors who were named, and who also consented to be considered in this discernment process.

In late April and early May 2007, congregations will be asked to consider the information in this resource in light of the conversations at the Fall 2006 cluster events. To “consider” might include analysis, conversation, prayer, and worship. That is, congregations will be asked to enter into spiritual discernment about the Oregon Synod’s mission and how the gifts God has given various pastors might best serve the synod’s mission.

6) My pastor is the only ordained person I know, and she would make a great bishop. I’d like to add her name into the conversation. Should I?
Only your pastor knows whether she/he is open to being considered. Either way, if you add her/his name in the conversation, she/he will be contacted and asked to submit a short biographical piece. If she/he is open, she/he will do so. If not, then she/he can make it clear to the Task Force that she/he would rather not be included in the Oregon Synod resource.

7) I don’t know any pastors who might have the skills and interest for bishop. Should I still be involved in the congregational and Synodical discernment?
Yes! Each person in the Oregon Synod brings insights into our challenges and possibilities as the Body of Christ, here, and now. Your thoughts are needed in this process, as we continue being synod -- “walking the way of Christ, together.”

8) Do other Synods have a process like this for electing a bishop?
Yes, since the creation of the ELCA in 1998, some synods of the ELCA have developed their own process for prayer and discernment around electing bishops. Northeast Ohio Synod, Rocky Mountain Synod, Southern California West Synod, Kentucky Synod, Southeast Minnesota Synod and the Northwest Washington Synod, just to name a few, all have developed intentional, multi-month processes of conversation and deliberation.

9)The Oregon Synod constitution requires that this be an ecclesiastical ballot. Is this what we are engaged in?
The Oregon Synod uses an ecclesiastical ballot, for which procedural requirements are stipulated in Article S9.04 of the Synod Constitution. See that Article for details. Basically, this is how it works: On the first ballot, voting members write the name of any ordained person from the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. That ballot is the nominating ballot. Everyone who receives a vote is listed on the second ballot. On that and each subsequent ballot, the number of nominees is decreased until one receives the required majority of votes.

10) Why is this process important?
We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before and during the election process. Some people are more comfortable seeking that counsel individually, telling no one their thoughts and not speaking about the process. Some people discern the Spirit’s guidance in conversation with others. They feel comfortable telling others what they think and inviting others to join them in those convictions. Either way, this process seeks to involve the prayer and input of as many people as possible – both clergy and lay. And the Task Force trusts that all who engage in discussion will exercise care to do so as a practice of edifying, prayerful reflection and Spirit-led deliberation which avoids campaigning or political advocacy and the divisiveness they entail.