How does the work of Jesus get done in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod? By faithful members of our congregations who love Jesus, love the Church, and are willing to take leadership positions in our Synod. At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 3 & 4, 2024, we will be electing a Bishop, which will take place by Ecclesiastical Ballot, and follow a distinct process. In addition, we will elect leaders to serve on the Synod Council, the Consultation Committee, and the Committee on Discipline. We will also select Voting Members to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly (July 28 – August 2, 2025, in Phoenix, AZ).
Nominations are now closed. Floor nominations will be accepted for some tickets.
For more information contact:Ms. Emily Valentine, Nominating Committee Chairperson, at
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Please be proactive in seeking diversity in nominees, both with regard to youth and young adults, and with regard to persons of color or whose primary language is other than English. While the ELCA goal is 10%, our Synod Constitution sets an intention that at least 20% of our representation be persons of color or whose primary language is other than English.
LGBTQIA+ persons of any gender identity are also welcome to be nominated for, and serve in, these positions in our Synod. The nomination form should list the gender identification of the nominee, whether man, woman, or non-binary/non-conforming.
Open Synod Council positions:
Our Synod Council is a working council that oversees the activity of our joint ministry across this 5-county region. The Synod Council serves as “the board of directors of the synod” and “its interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly.” As such, the Synod Council reviews reports from ministry teams and committees, evaluates and considers proposals for ministry, ensures the work of the Synod is aligning with the budget adopted by the Synod Assembly, and oversees the roster of minsters, in line with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Synod.
What is the Commitment?
Gifts and Qualifications sought:
Open positions on the Consultation Committee:
The Consultation Committee seeks to resolve disagreements within congregations on “substantive” issues. “When there is disagreement between or among factions within a congregation on a substantive issue which cannot be resolved by the parties, members of the congregation may petition the synod bishop for consultation after informing the president of the Congregation Council of their intent to do so. [I]f the bishop’s consultation fails to resolve the issue, the bishop shall refer the matter to the Consultation Committee of the synod, which shall undertake efforts to find an appropriate solution.”
Members of the Consultation Committee serve one term and are not eligible for consecutive reelection. They are part of a pool from which the Bishop may choose, and may not be needed in the time of their term of service.
Those who serve on the Consultation Committee are expected to do so with maturity, objectivity, faithfulness, and commitment. Members should be people with a strong sense of self, and strong skills in listening and communication.
Open positions on the Committee on Discipline:
The Committee on Discipline specifically considers the discipline of rostered ministers, officers, congregations, and members of congregations. The process of discipline is described in detail in Chapter 20 of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The process of discipline seeks to assure due process and due protection for the accused, other parties, and this church. “Since synods have responsibility for admittance of persons into the rostered ministries of this church and have oversight of pastoral and congregational relationships, the disciplinary process shall be a responsibility of the synod on behalf of this church.” 20.11. “It is the intent of this church that all matters of discipline should be resolved internally to the greatest extent possible” without resorting to the civil courts. 20.16.
As with the Consultation Committee, members of the Committee on Discipline serve one term and are not eligible for consecutive reelection. They are part of a pool from which the Bishop may choose, and may not be needed in the time of their term of service.
Those who serve on the Committee on Discipline are expected to do so with maturity, objectivity, faithfulness, and commitment. Members should be people with a strong sense of self, and strong skills in listening and communication.
Voting Members to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly
Each synod is allotted voting members in proportion to the number of its congregations and total baptized membership. For 2025 SEPA Synod is allotted 12 voting members. Each synod is also asked to send one additional voting member who is a person of color or whose primary language is other than English, and one additional voting member who is a youth or young adult (30 years or under at the time of election or appointment). From this total of 14, 5 are to be clergy (including men and women), and 9 lay persons, with lay persons being at least 45% women and at least 45% men.
Needed for nomination:
4 clergy (1 slot is designated for the bishop), at least 1 of the 5 to be a person of color or whose primary language is other than English.
7 lay persons – at least 1 to be a youth or young adult, and at least 1 to be a person of color or whose primary language is other than English.
2 additional lay persons, no specified gender identity.
A voting member to the CWA from Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod must be an active, voting member of a congregation of this Synod.
Voting members are not “delegates” who vote as directed by their constituents. They are members of the Church, who vote on issues as they feel led by the Spirit and informed by the conversation of the Assembly.
Issues that come before the Churchwide Assembly will include budget items, constitutional provisions, receipt and possible action on reports of commissions, including receipt of the Report of the Commission on a Renewed Lutheran Church, and in 2025, the election of a Presiding Bishop.
Voting members will receive a significant amount of material to read in preparation for the week-long Assembly and are expected to review it prior to the gathering. There will also be a significant amount of further material that will be submitted at the Assembly for consideration and action.
The ability to travel on the dates of the Assembly, and to fully participate in the conversation and deliberation, is expected of all voting members.
The ability to use electronic communication will be needed, as most of the information will be shared digitally.
The synod’s nominating form is available here. You may make additional copies of the nominating form if necessary. Names of prospective nominees are requested as soon as the nominee agrees to stand for election and the forms are completed. Handwritten nomination forms cannot be processed. The deadline for submission is February 15, 2024.
The Nominating Committee requires all nominees submit a digital photo of themselves and respond to the following questions – (1) List your top five spiritual gifts and/or personal gifts you would bring to the position if elected, and (2) How have you used these gifts in service to the church and your work? Please answer in 50 words or less.
A digital photo and responses to the questions are required for a nominating form to be considered completed. Nominating forms submitted without the required information will not be accepted and will not be placed in nomination. Completed nominating forms should be sent to:
Ms. Emily Valentine, Nominating Committee Chairperson, at
Please note:
Nominations Letter Nominating Form
2018-2022 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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