The election of a synod bishop in the ELCA is a prayer-filled, constitutional discernment process for the Synod Assembly. With the support from colleagues across the ELCA and the prayers of many, the body of Christ in our synod territory sends representatives from each congregation to elect a leader for a six-year term to guide the life of our synod, its congregations, and its rostered leaders. 

The bishop is pastor to the whole synod who is called to care for our life together. They ordain rostered leaders, care for the roster, tend ecumenical relationships, speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, lead the synod in mission with the help of synod staff and council, and serve as our chief administrative officer. 

As outlined in section 9 of our constitution, and the 2026 Bishop Election Charterapproved by the synod council, the election begins with an “ecclesiastical ballot” which serves as a nominating ballot. Any minister of Word and Sacrament (pastor) in the ELCA can be nominated, even if they are not in attendance or currently serving within the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. If an election does not take place on the first ballot, a process unfolds that allows for the Synod Assembly to hear from each candidate. Times of singing and prayer accompany the process that takes place over the course of the gathering. 

Pastor Doug Holtz of the Bishop Election Committee shares this video as an overview of the process.

The Pre-Identification process functions as a part of the Ecclesiastical Ballot. Names of any rostered minister of word and sacrament may be nominated. One person would lift up one potential candidate for nomination in this process. Then on the Ecclesiastical ballot at Synod Assembly the name must be lifted up by a voting member at the Assembly to be nominated, unless the nominee has withdrawn their name.

Some Pre-Identified Individuals have been lifted up through conference assemblies. Other names may be submitted by members of our Synod via the email:  bishop.election@ecsw.org or by filling out this nomination form.  Please provide the name, ministry or congregation of the minister of word and sacrament you are identifying, and their contact information. Please also include your contact information and your congregation name and town. Names may be submitted until March 31st.