The Bishop Election Process
The focus of the 2024 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly will be the election of a new bishop. The discernment process for the next bishop will begin this Fall at Conference Gatherings and the rostered leaders' Theological Conference. The process will conclude at Assembly April 25-27, 2024 with the final ballot for the election of a bishop. This website will serve as a hub for all information and documents surrounding the discernment and election of a new bishop.
Discerning who will be called to be the next Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod is something that should be undertaken with prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Expectations for a Bishop, both in their gifts and in their character, are many. The Bishop Election Committee encourages both voting members of the 2024 Assembly and those who are interested in being considered for this call to carefully read the document from the ELCA, "The Office and Ministry of the Bishop in the ELCA" as part of their discernment (click below).
Timeline
Fall 2023: Conference Gatherings and Theological Conference for rostered leaders. Discussion focused on "Who Are We?" as the Rocky Mountain Synod and "The Bishop We Seek."
Winter 2023 and Spring 2024: Word and Sacrament Ministers who are discerning a call to be nominated for Bishop can complete and submit biographical information on this site. Information received will be disseminated to voting members prior to the Assembly.
April 25-27, 2024: Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly in Loveland, Colorado:
- The first ballot will be an Ecclesiastical Ballot. Any Word and Sacrament Minister in the ELCA can be nominated in addition to those who may have already submitted a Biographical Information Form. Ministers who wish to withdraw from consideration will do so after the first ballot. Remaining names become the slate for the second ballot. (75% of votes needed to elect)
- Following the second ballot, the top 7 names--plus ties-(total votes received) will advance to the third ballot, with biographical information provided to voting members. Prior to the third ballot, these candidates will be invited to address the Assembly for five minutes each.
- Following the third ballot, the top 3 names-plus ties-will participate in Question and Answer sessions. The Assembly will be divided into three rooms and the candidates will rotate between rooms so all voting members can hear each person. The fourth ballot will be taken, with 60% of votes needed to elect.
- The two candidates with the highest vote totals will be included on the fifth ballot and any subsequent ballots. A majority of total votes is needed for election.
Bishop Election Committee for 2024 Assembly
The Synod Council has begun the process for the election of a new Bishop. The first step has been the appointment of a Bishop Election Committee, comprised of rostered leaders and lay people from around the synod. This committee has the responsibility of assuring that a fair and competent election is held, and also assuring that opportunities for feedback, discernment, and reflection are widely available prior to the 2024 Assembly. Along with the leadership of Conference Deans, the committee will organize gatherings for rostered leaders and laypeople this fall. Input from rostered leaders will also be invited at the Fall Theological Conference.
You can read the full responsibilities of the committee HERE.
The Committee members are:
Pr. Ann Hultquist, Chair
Christian Mogren, Utah Conference
Elizabeth Mullins, Border Conference
Pam McClune, Metro West Conference
Pr. Carrie Baylis, Southeast Colorado Conference
Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, North New Mexico Conference
Pr. John Knutson, Northern Colorado Conference