At our 2026 Synod Assembly, we will elect a bishop of our Northeastern Ohio Synod.
This process will be led by the Bishop’s Election Committee. This committee is comprised of a member from each of our five conferences who will chair conference meetings for the purpose of suggesting potential nominees for the office of the bishop as well as oversee the election process at our Synod Assembly in accordance with our governing documents.
The election of the bishop is a call process. Prayer is the foundation of this process, where both the Synod Assembly and voting members and nominees seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the needs of the Synod and discern whom God is calling to leadership.
The process for electing a bishop consists of several steps.
This process will be led by the Bishop’s Election Committee. This committee is comprised of a member from each of our five conferences who will chair conference meetings for the purpose of suggesting potential nominees for the office of the bishop as well as oversee the election process at our Synod Assembly in accordance with our governing documents.
The election of the bishop is a call process. Prayer is the foundation of this process, where both the Synod Assembly and voting members and nominees seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the needs of the Synod and discern whom God is calling to leadership.
The process for electing a bishop consists of several steps.
Conference Meetings
The first step for our 2026 Bishop Election is the convening of conference meetings on Sunday, March 8, 2026 for the purpose of suggesting potential nominees for the office of the bishop. The times, locations, and explanation of voting members for these meetings can be found in the January 15 meeting notice issued by our Synod Secretary, The Rev. Jeremy Hollingshead. Voting members will participate in Bible study, discussion and prayer. A pre-identification poll will then be taken suggesting potential nominees for the office of bishop. Each voting member may submit the name of ONE minister of Word and Sacrament on the roster of the ELCA who they feel has the gifts needed by a bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod. The incumbent bishop is not automatically one of the ten identified potential nominees, and may be nominated during the conference events to appear as a potential nominee. Bishop Laura Barbins has indicated her willingness to continue serving as bishop if nominated and elected.
From this poll the Committee will compile a list of the ten pastors (plus ties) who receive the highest number of votes, and will contact these individuals to determine if they are willing to serve if nominated and elected. If any one declines, the Committee continues down the list until a list of 10 plus ties is developed. Then that list, with a brief biography of each person and answers to questions prepared by the Committee, will be published on the Synod website and emailed to the registered voting members of the Synod Assembly. This list of potential nominees is not a slate of candidates.
From this poll the Committee will compile a list of the ten pastors (plus ties) who receive the highest number of votes, and will contact these individuals to determine if they are willing to serve if nominated and elected. If any one declines, the Committee continues down the list until a list of 10 plus ties is developed. Then that list, with a brief biography of each person and answers to questions prepared by the Committee, will be published on the Synod website and emailed to the registered voting members of the Synod Assembly. This list of potential nominees is not a slate of candidates.
Synod Assembly
The second step of our bishop election will take place at our Assembly on June 5-6, 2026 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron when voting members will start the process by casting an ecclesiastical ballot. An ecclesiastical ballot, also known as a nominating ballot, is a means by which nominations for the office of bishop are made by casting a vote.
First Ballot: Any minister of Word and Sacrament on the roster of the ELCA may be nominated. Individuals lifted up during conference meetings (including our current bishop) are not automatically nominated. They must be nominated (name written) on the first ballot. Three-fourths of the votes cast shall be necessary for election. If no one is elected, the first ballot shall be considered the nominating ballot.
Second Ballot: Consists of all those nominated, minus pastors who removed their name from consideration. Three-fourths of the legal votes cast on the second ballot shall be necessary for election.
Third Ballot: Limited to the seven people (plus ties) who received the greatest number of votes on the second ballot. Each of the nominees will be given five minutes to address the Assembly prior to the vote. Two-thirds of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election.
Fourth Ballot: Limited to the three persons (plus ties) who received the greatest number of votes on the third ballot. The nominees will be invited to participate in a question-and-answer period prior to the fourth ballot. Sixty percent of the votes cast shall be necessary for election.
Fifth Ballot: Limited to the two people (plus ties) who received the greatest number of votes on the previous ballot. The nominees will be given five minutes to address the Assembly prior to the fifth ballot. A majority of the votes cast on this and any subsequent ballot shall be necessary for election.
Second Ballot: Consists of all those nominated, minus pastors who removed their name from consideration. Three-fourths of the legal votes cast on the second ballot shall be necessary for election.
Third Ballot: Limited to the seven people (plus ties) who received the greatest number of votes on the second ballot. Each of the nominees will be given five minutes to address the Assembly prior to the vote. Two-thirds of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election.
Fourth Ballot: Limited to the three persons (plus ties) who received the greatest number of votes on the third ballot. The nominees will be invited to participate in a question-and-answer period prior to the fourth ballot. Sixty percent of the votes cast shall be necessary for election.
Fifth Ballot: Limited to the two people (plus ties) who received the greatest number of votes on the previous ballot. The nominees will be given five minutes to address the Assembly prior to the fifth ballot. A majority of the votes cast on this and any subsequent ballot shall be necessary for election.
In the midst of this process, we believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts and minds of everyone involved as we strive to do God’s will in calling a pastor for our Synod.