So We Are Electing a New Bishop in February...

With the unexpected resignation of Bishop Craig Johnson so he could accept the call as interim senior pastor at Mount Olivet, Minneapolis, after the sudden death of Pr. Paul Youngdahl, many people are wondering what happens next. Below is a summary and timeline of the bishop election process.

Prior to the 2012 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly a few key steps need to be completed.

1. Synod Council elects the Bishop Election Committee from a slate of nominees brought forward by the synod nominating committee at their September 15 meeting. The chair of the Bishop Election Committee, Kari Christianson was elected by the executive committee of the synod council at their July meeting so she could begin work preparing materials.
2. Bishop Election Committee prepares, before conference assemblies: information sent to congregations and voting members Re: process for nomination and election of bishop.
3. On Sunday, November 20, all 11 conference assemblies will take place at Christ Lutheran Church in Blaine. Each conference may nominate up to three pastors at their conference assembly. A nominee must be rostered in the ELCA and in good standing. The Synod Vice President will contact all nominees to determine if they are open to election.
4. The bishop election committee will send out all background forms of nominees no later than 30 days prior to the 2012 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly which will be held February 17-18.

At  the 2012 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly the process for election will be as follows:

1. Nominating ballot. This ballot will list all who were nominated at the conference assemblies and provide a space for voting members to add another nominee.
2. First ballot. All nominated in steps 3 and 5 who have indicated their openness to election will appear on this ballot. It would take 3/4 of votes to elect a bishop on the first ballot.
3. The top seven nominees (plus ties) will have their background information handed out to all voting members prior to the second ballot.
4. Second ballot. The top seven (plus ties), will appear on the second ballot. ¾ of votes are needed to elect a bishop on the second ballot. Before the third ballot, the top five nominees (plus ties) do a 1 ½ hour Q&A together. Each nominee addresses the assembly for five minutes. Any not present may do by phone or video. The questions for the Q&A are submitted in advance by the assembly voting members and are compiled and finalized by the Bishop Election Committee.
5. Third ballot. The top five nominees (plus ties) will appear on the third ballot. 2/3 of votes are needed to elect a bishop on the third ballot.
6. The top three nominees speak 5 minutes. If not present, speak by phone/video or appoint proxy.
7. Fourth ballot. The top three nominees (plus ties) appear on the third ballot. 2/3 of votes are needed to elect a bishop on the fourth ballot.
8. At discretion of Bishop Election Committee in consultation with Reference & Counsel there may be time added for additional Q&A.
9. Fifth and subsequent ballots. The top two nominees (plus ties) will appear on the fifth, and if needed, subsequent ballots. – Majority of votes is needed to elect a bishop on the fifth and subsequent ballots.

Please refer to the Minneapolis Area Synod constitution, S9.04, for more information on the bishop election process.