Synod Assembly and the Election of a New Bishop

Greetings from Deacon Aimee,

At the upcoming synod assembly held on May 15-17, 2025, in New Orleans, members of the Gulf Coast Synod will gather to perform one of the most important responsibilities of our Synod. We will elect a new bishop in an ecclesiastical nominating and voting process, which is governed by the constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions of the synod. I have the privilege of serving on the Bishop’s Election committee which serves along with a representative from the ELCA churchwide offices to lead the process.

In addition to being a synod responsibility, the election of a bishop is a call process. It involves discernment, from both potential Word and Sacrament nominees and of the Synod members, especially those voting at the Assembly. Engaging in prayerful reflection and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit underlies the process of nomination and election. After May 1st, you will see the names of nominees who were lifted up at the regional conference meetings and are allowing their names to move forward. During the actual assembly, nominees will still have to be nominated from the floor on the first ballot and allow their names to go forward or to withdrawal from the process. There will likely be additional nominees during the assembly.

The synod website provides information about the role and attributes of a bishop, along with the election process and timeline. I encourage you to click on the links above to learn more information about the process of electing a new bishop and to speak with members of Christ the King Lutheran Church who will be attending as voting members along with the rostered ministers. Federico Salas-Isnardi, Daryl Elles, and Andrea Salas are the 2025 voting members from our congregation. Let them know what attributes of a bishop are important to you and whom you see our community of faith needing as a leader for our synod.

Thank you for your continued prayers prior to and throughout the Synod Assembly and the election of our new bishop. We pray that Holy Spirit lead the process, and all glory be given to God.

Peace and blessings,

Deacon Aimee Elles
Director of Congregational Engagement