Bishop Election

Any ELCA Minister of Word and Sacrament in good standing may be identified for consideration.

• Congregations may each identify one pastor.
• Individual members of congregations within the Southwestern Minnesota Synod may each identify one pastor.
• ELCA Ministers of Word and Sacrament in good standing may submit their own names.
• Conference assemblies may each identify up to five pastors.

Submissions from congregations, individual congregation members, and pastors identifying themselves are due February 15, 2027. Conference assembly submissions are due March 15, 2027.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod will prayerfully discern and elect a bishop at the 2027 Synod Assembly.

Submissions from congregations, individual congregation members, and pastors identifying themselves are due February 15, 2027. Conference assembly submissions are due March 15, 2027.

Submitting a name before the assembly does not automatically place that person on the first ballot. All individuals wishing to participate in the assembly election must be named on the first ecclesiastical ballot.

2027 Bishop Election Process Overview

Start here for an explanation of how potential candidates are identified, how their information is shared, and how the process moves to election at the assembly.

• Bishop Election Process Overview — PDF

Duties of the Synod Bishop

Learn about the bishop’s pastoral, leadership, and administrative responsibilities as described in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod Constitution.

• Duties of the Synod Bishop — SWMN Constitution PDF

Bishop Nominee Biographical Information Form

Pastors who agree to continue in the process complete this form to share their ministry experience, education, church and community involvement, and responses to leadership questions.

Completed forms are due April 5, 2027.

• Bishop Nominee Fillable Biographical Information Form — coming soon

Understanding the Ecclesiastical Ballot

Learn what an ecclesiastical ballot means, how names are submitted, and how the election proceeds.

• Understanding the Ecclesiastical Ballot — PDF

2027 Bishop Election Balloting Process

Review the ballot-by-ballot table showing which nominees advance and the votes required for election.

• 2027 Bishop Election Balloting Process — PDF

Information About Identified Individuals

Names and biographical information of individuals who agree to continue will be posted here by May 11, 2027.

Pre-identification helps the synod learn about potential candidates. Voting members may also name other eligible ELCA Ministers of Word and Sacrament on the first ecclesiastical ballot.