Nominations for Synodical and Churchwide Offices

Preliminary Report of the Nominating Committee>
Biographical Information for Bishop (PDF)

• The Rev. Christopher Becker>
• The Rev. James Erlandson>
• The Rev. Peter Rogness>
• The Rev. Grant Stevensen>

Biographical information for nominees to all other offices>
Bio form for candidate for bishop>
Continuing resolution requiring criminal background checks for synodical officers>
Bio form for synodical positions>

The 2008 Saint Paul Area Synod assembly returns to Prince of Peace, Burnsville, May 30-31, and plans are underway both for the program, which features keynote speaker Tony Campolo, and for the elections—of which there are many! The list that follows provides information about vacancies and the process. If you have questions, contact your conference representative to the nominating committee or call Nancy Johnson or Beth Helgen in the synod office.

Election of the bishop
At its September meeting, the synod council approved the formation of a committee to oversee the election of a bishop, some of whom have served on previous bishop election committees and some of whom have not. Members include the Rev. Mark Winkler, Newport Lutheran, Newport, chair and member of the elections committee; Vernita Kennen, Incarnation, North Oaks, member of the bishop election committee in 2002; the Rev. Lois Pallmeyer, Gloria Dei, St. Paul, member of the nominating committee; the Rev. William Siong, Hmong Central, St. Paul, at-large member of the synod council; the Rev. Kent Claussen Gubrud, Christus Victor, Apple Valley, former dean of the South Conference; and David Laden, Como Park, St. Paul, member of the finance committee and former synod treasurer.

The goals of the committee are to assist the synod in carefully, prayerfully, and thoughtfully accomplishing the bishop election process; to assist interested bishop candidates and others in understanding the election process; and to communicate with the synod, bishop candidates, and others about the process.

The election of the bishop is dictated by the synod constitution (S9.04.) and the rules of procedure for the assembly, which the synod council approved at its November meeting. Carlos Pena, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will be present to chair the bishop election portion of the assembly.

Nominations for bishop
At conference assemblies on Sunday, Feb. 24, each conference may nominate up to three persons for bishop. Candidates for bishop must be ordained pastors in the ELCA, though they need not be serving in the Saint Paul Area Synod. The term of office is six years, with a two-term limit. Bishop Rogness is eligible for re-election and has indicated his willingness to have voting members consider an extension of his call for another term.

The first ballot for bishop: Variation on the ecclesiastical ballot
In the election for the presiding bishop and synodical bishops in the ELCA, the first ballot is typically an ecclesiastical ballot or a variation. On the first ballot at the Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly, all those who accepted the nomination at conference assemblies will be listed on the ballot. In addition, the ballot will contain a place to write in the name of a nominee. For election on this ballot—the first or ecclesiastical ballot—three-fourths or 75 percent of the legal votes cast are necessary for an election.

Subsequent Ballots for Bishop
Prior to the second ballot, printed  biographical information on the seven candidates who received the highest number of votes on the first ballot will be distributed and there will be a question and answer session between the seven candidates and members of the assembly. Those who do not wish to be included in the second ballot must withdraw their names prior to the second ballot using a form provided by the synod secretary.

The second ballot is limited to the seven individuals—plus ties—who received the greatest number of legal votes on the first ballot. Three-fourths or 75 percent of the legal votes are necessary for election.

The third ballot is limited to five persons—plus ties—who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the second ballot, and two-thirds of the legal votes are necessary for election. Prior to the third ballot, the five candidates will each present five-minute speeches.

The fourth ballot is limited to the three persons —plus ties—who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the third ballot, and 60 percent of the legal votes cast is necessary for election.

On subsequent ballots a majority of the legal votes cast—50 percent plus 1—is necessary for election. These ballots are limited to the two persons (plus ties)who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the previous ballot.

Elections at conference assemblies
Several elections occur during conference assemblies. Nominations and self-nominations are welcome, either by calling the synod office, the conference representative to the nominating committee, or the conference dean. Biographical forms are available online or by calling the synod office. They should be completed by Feb. 17 and returned to the synod office so that they can be duplicated for the conference assemblies.

The following elections will take place during conference assemblies:

Abbreviations Cl Clergy LF Lay Female LM Lay Male L Lay, either male or female PCL Person of color or whose language is other than English

East Central Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LF, LM, open (Cl or L)
Nominating Committee Cl , three-year term

North Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LM
Dean L or Cl, three-year term

North Central Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LM, LF
Dean L or Cl, three-year term
Nominating Committee LM or LF, three-year term

South Central Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LF
Synod Council Representative L, three-year term
Dean L or Cl, three-year term

Southeast Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LF, LM
Dean L or Cl, three-year term

South Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members 2 Cl, 1 LM, 2 LF, 1 LM or LF; 1PCL
Synod Council Representative Cl, three-year term

Elections at the synod assembly
The synod nominating committee will identify individuals for the the following positions for action at the synod assembly

ELCA Church Council Representative
In 2009 the Churchwide Assembly will elect a clergy representative from the Saint Paul Area Synod to the ELCA Church Council. The 2008 synod assembly—in effect serving as a nominating committee—will elect two clergy of the synod to be the nominees on the ballot at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. The person elected will serve one six-year term, without consecutive re-election.

At-Large Voting Members to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly
Seven at-large voting members will be elected, filling out the 29-person delegation to ensure at least 20 lay persons and at least three persons of color or whose primary language is other than English.

Synod Secretary
The secretary may be either clergy or lay and serves for a four-year term.

Committee for Consultation
The committee for consultation provides a pool from which to form a panel of individuals who assist congregations in resolving matters of conflict. Two persons—one clergy and one lay—will be elected. The term is six years.