After 18 years of service leading the ELCIC as national bishop, Rev. Susan Johnson has announced she will be retiring at the conclusion of her current term, which coincides with the 2025 National Convention.
To assist the church in this transition, National Church Council (NCC) has thoughtfully considered a discernment process in the lead up to the election of the new national bishop.
“It is very important to be engaged in this process, as we look at what will set the stage for the next period of life of our church,” said NCC member Stephen Holmes (British Columbia Synod, Lay). “As we move forward, it may be challenging and a bit fearful, but also a very exciting time, as we discern where we are going and how we are going to get there. It will be important that people feel that they are a part of this and can participate in this process because this is their church.”
Starting immediately, members of the church are invited into a discernment process using a study guide to walk them through a series of questions to consider God’s call to national bishop of the church at this place and time. Beginning in January, through to the end of March, a pre-identification process will occur, identifying individuals with the skills and gifts for the call to national bishop. Pre-identified nominees will require endorsement from eight ELCIC members, four rostered leaders, four lay. All ELCIC members can only endorse one individual. And individuals must agree with having their names put forward.
After March 31, 2025, a task force will work to get biographical information for those who have been pre-identified and will also prepare video interviews with each individual.
“Members of the ELCIC should care and be intrigued by this process, as it opens up the opportunity to have a voice and be involved,” said Linda Grainger, who serves as secretary for NCC. “I am pleased with the process that NCC has adopted, specifically the pre-identification process. This process will encourage all ELCIC members across this church to be involved, not just the delegates at convention. I am hopeful that members will take this opportunity to pray, reflect, listen and discuss throughout this time of spirit-led discernment.”
When it comes to delegates voting at National Convention, the process continues as laid out in the ELCIC Administrative Bylaws. “The ecclesiastical ballot – or the first write-in ballot – is really the nomination process the ELCIC has followed here for some time,” Holmes added.
“We don’t want to be ground to the past,” he said. “But we need to be looking forward as to what can we be, or what can we become to meet the needs in our community and what we’re called to be. Finding the right person with the appropriate gifts to fulfill that role is the next step.”
Resources for the discernment process can be found here.
