Announcement on the Upcoming Election of Bishop
Dear beloved of God in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod,
In 2011, synod Vice President Jeanne Rapp tried to warn me that I might be elected bishop. She had to ask me twice if I had talked with Kris about the possibility.
I am now in the final year of my second six-year term as bishop. There will be an election of bishop at our synod’s 2023 Synod Assembly. While there are no term limits in our synod, I am not making myself available for another term. This assembly will elect a new bishop. I continue as synod bishop through August. The new bishop’s term will begin September 1, 2023.
It is a distinct privilege to be called and entrusted by Synod Assembly voting members to be the synod’s bishop. And I will be forever grateful for this privilege.
A congregation wisely calls a pastor when the congregation, grasped by grace, senses why and to what God is calling and leading the congregation. Likewise, a synod wisely calls a bishop when the synod, grasped by grace, senses why and to what God is calling and leading the synod. Please be in prayer and sacred deliberation about our synod’s God-given mission and purpose, so as to consider well the gifts, qualities, and aptitudes suited for the office of bishop in this synod.
In Christ,
S. John Roth
Bishop, Central/Southern Illinois Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America