Bishop Election 2026
The Southeastern Iowa Synod will elect a bishop at the synod assembly on May 15 and 16, 2026. Discernment and hearing the call of the Holy Spirit happen to us as individuals and communally. While it will be the Assembly Voting Members that take action at the Assembly, the whole synod has a role in the process of electing the bishop. You are invited to pray for the voting members and those discerning being on the ballot. You are invited to encourage a Minister of Word and Sacrament, whom you believe has the gifts for the office of bishop, to submit a pre-identification form.
In this sacred season of discernment, we lift up the importance of prayer throughout the synod and invite you to use the following prayer before the assembly:
Almighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit you have knit your servants into the one body of your Son, Jesus Christ. Look with favor upon those discerning a new call in Christ’s name. Give them courage, patience, and vision; and strengthen us all in our Christian vocation of witness to the world and in service to others; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Information about the Bishop Election Process
Important Dates for the Bishop Election Process
Pre-Identification Materials Available on March 1
Pre-Identification Submissions Due on March 22
Background Checks on Pre-Identified Candidates
Publish Bios of Pre-Identified Candidates no later than May 1
Bios Removed on May 14
First Ballot for Bishop will be done in Plenary 1 of the Synod Assembly on May 15
First Ballot Results at the end of Plenary 1 of the Synod Assembly on May 15
First Ballot Nominees may remove name or submit bio by 6:30 pm on Friday, May 15
Slate of candidates for the Second Ballot will be posted by 8:00 pm on Friday, May 15
Bishop Election Committee
In anticipation of that election, the Synod Council appointed a Bishop Election Committee. The committee will design and carry out a process that allows for care and discernment of nominees, invite the people of the Southeastern Iowa Synod into a time of prayerful discernment for the needs, hopes, and realities of our life together as the body of Christ, and provide useful information to those who will participate in the election.
Members of the Bishop Election Committee include:
Keith Jones, Synod Vice President, Co-Chair, Peace, Pella
Leslie Eichelberger, Co-Chair, Shepherd of the Cross, Muscatine
Jessica Hotchkiss, Redeemer, Indianola
Pastor Misha McFarland-Pollock, Messiah/Bethany, Burlington
Pastor Mark Schlenker, St. Peter, Grimes
Duties of a Synod Bishop
The role of the bishop is defined in the synod constitution in †S8.12. It breaks down into the following categories:
PASTOR
The bishop is the synod’s pastor.
Preach and preside at congregations in the synod 34 Sundays per year
Provide pastoral care to congregations and rostered ministers
Ordain new rostered ministers
MISSION LEADER
The bishop leads the mission of the ELCA on the territory of the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Interpret and advocate the mission of the ELCA
Advise and counsel synod partner agencies and institutions
AMBASSADOR
The bishop promotes and embodies the unity of the whole Church, ecumenically and globally.
Be aware and supportive of full-communion agreements
Maintain a close relationship with ecumenical partners and the synod’s companion synods, the Mwanga and Pare Dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
Participation in the ELCA Conference of Bishops
ADMINISTRATOR
The bishop is the chief executive officer of the synod.
Guide and work with synod staff and officers
Maintain the synod’s constitution and bylaws for regular use
Maintain the synod’s roster
Lead and oversee all the administrative functions within the work of the synod
Bishop Compensation: The bishop-elect will work with the synod executive committee to develop a compensation and benefits package.
Important Dates on the Bishop’s Calendar
Learn more about the Southeastern Iowa Synod
Learn more about the 2026 Synod Assembly