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Conference of Bishops  

A Shared Vision of Episcopacy and a Relational Agreement

The office of bishop has developed, been reformed, and locally adapted for the sake of the Church over many centuries. As ministers of the Gospel and in keeping with Scriptural, confessional, and constitutional principles of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we pledge to fulfill faithfully our responsibilities within the office of bishop. As this church and the world move into the twenty-first century and third millennium of Christian witness, our vision of the office is summarized in the following four-fold description:

The Office of the Bishop within the Office of Ministry

As a priesthood of believers, all baptized Christians are called to serve in the name of Christ. Some also are called and ordained for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, an office given by God for the sake of the Church. The ordained ministry of the Church, Lutherans agree, is "basically one ministry, centered in the proclamation of the Word of God and the administration of the Holy Sacraments. This ministry embraces both the ministry of pastor within and for a local community of believers and of bishop within and for a communion of local communities" (The Lutheran Understanding of Ministry, Lutheran World Federation, 1983). The ministry of bishops is understood as an expression of the pastoral ministry. Describing the office of the synodical bishop as the synod's pastor, roots this ministry most deeply in its pastoral understanding.

The Office of the Bishop within the Life of the Church

"Each bishop shall give leadership for ordained and other ministries; shall give leadership to the mission of this church; shall give leadership in strengthening the unity of the church; and shall provide administrative oversight" (ELCA Study of Ministry: Together for Ministry, 1993). In exercising this leadership, the bishop is to give attention to four tasks: 1. to preach and teach the apostolic faith of the Church; 2. to provide for Word and Sacrament ministry within the territory of the bishop's ministry, including the church's power to ordain; 3. to oversee the work of the church's mission within the territory of the bishop's ministry; and 4. to give witness to the unity of the Church.

This church's understanding of the apostolic faith, and the Creeds and Confessions that give witness to it, are described in its constitutions under the chapter title "Confession of Faith."

The Office of the Bishop within the Nature, Purpose, and Organization of this Church

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America understands itself to be one church in three expressions: congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization. Each expression is fully the church, but not, by itself, the whole church. These expressions work interdependently, rather than hierarchically. The ministry of bishops is to exemplify this understanding of interdependence. Bishops are accountable to the Gospel. Bishops are also accountable to those among whom they serve, to one another, and to this entire church. As individuals and as a conference, the bishops provide counsel to this church. In their public ministries, bishops draw attention to needs that must be addressed in Church and society.

The Office of the Bishop within a Culture of Diversity and Change

In serving the Gospel, the ministry of the bishop serves the Church. Because the Church is called and gathered by the Holy Spirit in a wide variety of settings and circumstances, it is useful and even necessary for there to be a variety of gifts and styles of ministry exercised by those called to serve as bishops. Flexibility and adaptability according to the mission needs of the Church, but always within the confessional and constitutional understandings of this church and the collegial agreements of the Conference of Bishops, are both honored and encouraged. Emphasis on the servant nature of this ministry provides the consistency of purpose within the diversity of practice.

We view these understandings to be normative for our life and work together as bishops. They represent our collegial intentions. They presume that neither ecumenical agreements, nor the participation of this church in conciliar movements or organizations with churches that hold differing views of episcopacy, alter these understandings in any essential way.

Relational Agreement Among Synodical Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

This relational agreement regarding the responsibilities of the synodical bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the relationships between and among them has been approved by them for their own advice and use.

Responsibilities

For the purpose of this document, it is appropriate to summarize the responsibilities of synodical bishops as defined in the churchwide constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA churchwide constitutional provision 10.31.a.). Their responsibilities as elected leaders of their synods include:

1. Worship and Spiritual Oversight. The synodical bishop, as this synod's pastor, regularly leads worship in congregations and in other gatherings of this church and, through a variety of activities and contacts, teaches the Christian faith and provides spiritual leadership and oversight in the synod.

2. Pastoral Care. The synodical bishop, as the synod's pastor, bears major, but not sole, responsibility for the pastoral care of congregations and rostered leaders. Providing for Word and Sacrament ministry on the territory of the synod is fundamental to this care. Pastoral care is often exercised through the many activities and contacts bishops have with the people and organizations of the synod, and through organizing the structures which are necessary to the synod's life and mission.

3. Mission Planning. As the chief executive of the synod who is responsible for the oversight of its life and work, the bishop is the chief planner for its life and mission, giving ongoing attention to the use of all its resources.

4. Mission Interpretation. The bishop is the primary spokesperson for the synod in respect to its mission, theology, and life, both internally and externally. It is understood that others may be given specific interpretative assignments.

5. Mission Administration. Bishops are also the chief corporate and executive officers of their synods. In order to give fuller attention to other aspects of their responsibilities, it is understood that they will often exercise this leadership by delegating major administrative tasks to others who are accountable to them.

6. Ecumenical Relations. Bishops are the chief ecumenical officers of the synod and are a sign of the unity of the church, between their respective synods and other denominational families and ecumenical organizations. It is understood that bishops may name other persons to assist them in maintaining contacts and in carrying out specific ecumenical and interreligious tasks.

7. Liaison. Synodical bishops, by virtue of their office, have high visibility across this whole church. Their contacts with each other and with the churchwide units, organizations, agencies, and institutions of this church form a vital network marked by collegiality. Through this network the bishops together support this church's cohesiveness and public witness to the mission of the Church in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This relational agreement among bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is designed to assist the bishops in their collegial relationships and contacts with one another in support of that witness.

Principles

Given the collegial nature of the responsibilities of the synodical bishops, it is appropriate to identify certain principles that govern those relationships.

1. Authority. "This church recognizes that all power and authority in the Church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, its head. Therefore, all actions of this church...shall be carried out under his rule and authority..." (ELCA churchwide constitution provision 5.01.). Bishops are accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the whole Church, and to this church in the exercise of their ministries.

2. Grace. All humans sin and fall short of the glory of God but by God's grace may be empowered to walk in newness of life. Bishops recognize the reality of sin and the power of redemption both for themselves and for those whom they serve.

3. Worthiness. Bishops recognize that leadership in the community of Christ carries with it the responsibility to represent the community faithfully (ELCA churchwide constitutional provision 7.22.). By the grace of God bishops seek to live and act in a manner consistent with the Church's confession of Christ.

4. Mercy and Justice. Bishops recognize their pastoral responsibility both to admonish and to support those whose circumstances in life require special care.

5. Interdependence. The constitution and polity of the ELCA envision this church as being composed of interdependent expressions, each with its own integrity (ELCA churchwide constitutional provisions 5.01.c. and 8.11.). Bishops recognize and support this principle.

6. Inclusiveness. Consistent with the ELCA's commitment to be an inclusive church in the midst of the divisions in society (ELCA churchwide constitutional provision 5.01.b.), bishops assist this church in fulfilling that commitment through their relationships and activities.

7. Variety of Practice. In view of the interdependence of the various expressions of the ELCA, this church recognizes that decisions are to be made principally by the entity most directly affected (ELCA churchwide constitutional provision 5.01.c.). This implies that some variety of practice will develop with integrity across this church. Bishops respect this variety.

8. Communication. Consistent with the interdependence and integrity of this church's various expressions and of its variety in practice, bishops communicate with appropriate other bishops when dealing in any way with an ordained minister, a person on the official lay rosters, a congregation, an agency, or an institution beyond their own synod. This communication should be done prior to any contact with a person rostered in another synod.

9. Leadership needs. The geographic, ethnic, and social diversity of this church means that leadership needs are equally diverse and never uniform in opportunity from synod to synod. In working with ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers and candidates, bishops consider persons focusing primarily upon the needs of this church for specific leadership, while also providing opportunity for individual preferences to be expressed and considered.

10. Fairness. Inherent in the work of a bishop is the opportunity to gain a broader view of the needs of this church and of its public leaders. Informed by this broader view, bishops strive to deal fairly and evenhandedly with all candidates, rostered persons, congregations, institutions, and agencies.

11. Confidentiality. The constitution of this church acknowledges and obligates all ordained ministers to the historic discipline and practice of confidentiality in the exercise of the pastoral office (ELCA churchwide constitutional provision 7.45.). Bishops respect this discipline and practice in conferring with each other, seeking when appropriate the permission of the person involved before sharing confidential information with another bishop.

12. Collegiality and Support. Because of the nature of their responsibilities and opportunities in the Church's mission and ministry, synodical bishops work collegially together and provide personal and pastoral support to each other.

Applications

The following applications are illustrative of the above principles:

1. Bishops consult with the synodical bishop of the roster of an ordained member or an associate in ministry, a deaconess, or diaconal minister prior to consideration for call by a search committee. When approached by another bishop's office for clearance to contact a rostered person regarding a prospective call, a bishop shall be mindful that ordained ministers and other rostered persons belong to the whole ELCA and not just the particular synod in which they currently serve. Denial to grant clearance to another bishop will be based upon the same criteria a bishop would use in refusing to allow a rostered person's name to be considered by a congregation in his or her own synod: e.g., premature interruption of present ministry (normally not less than three years), known personal or family circumstances that preclude a move at the present time. Recognizing the needs of the whole church for experienced rostered leaders, bishops will seek to avoid "keeping for my synod" an individual who is open to serve where needed. Clearance to make direct contact with a prospective candidate will normally be granted for any rostered person who is open for call. The bishop of the synod of roster may inform another bishop of a rostered person's stated desire to remain in that synod; also, other preferences and special circumstances may be communicated confidentially bishop-to-bishop. In general, however, encouragement to explore with a rostered person her or his openness to be considered by a specific calling congregation will be granted absent compelling reasons to deny clearance. Many bishops delegate to a staff member the authority to grant clearance and contact other synods for clearance.

2. When a local search committee approaches a bishop other than its own in respect to candidates, that bishop will respond by asking the committee to route its request through its own bishop.

3. When a local search committee from another synod asks a bishop for an evaluation concerning an identified candidate known to that bishop, that bishop may provide such an evaluation, informing the bishop of the synod to which the committee is related of the evaluation.

4. When requesting or considering an exception to policy or practice, synodical bishops recognize that exceptions may create injustices for others who are not aware of, considered for, or granted such exceptions.

5. Since servanthood in behalf of the Gospel is a mark of the Christian life and therefore of the Church's public forms of ministry, synodical bishops do not equate success with specific titles, compensation, responsibility, or location in ministry for themselves or others.

6. Bishops are always building relationships with one another. Critical to this process is the expectation that bishops will be initially candid and sufficient in recommending a candidate to another bishop. A test of the necessity of sharing information with another bishop is: "What information would be helpful to me in consideration of the recommendation of a candidate for call?"

7. Bishops are always building relationships with parish pastors, churchwide partners, and with agencies and institutions of this church. Through these relationships they are assisted in the critical task of making personnel recommendations.

8. Bishops cannot assure any candidate of a call since this church has not made that commitment. However, bishops may provide the opportunity for candidates to be considered by appropriate congregations as calling or employing agencies.

9. In dealing with first calls, bishops made judgments fairly and evenhandedly considering the following:

a. Assessing the particular needs and opportunities in a ministry setting.

b. Assessing the skills, resources, and capacities of individual candidates for particular ministries.

c. Considering the preferences and restrictions of individual candidates.

d. Examining the priorities and preferences of the congregation or other entity involved in the call or employment.

10. When a candidate has been assigned to a synod, the bishop will make prompt and regular contact with the candidate.

11. Bishops will not condone or support any attempts to arrange conversations or negotiations between candidates and congregations or other entities involved in calls or employment prior to the formal assignment of the candidate to the synod.

12. Bishops will not condone or support attempts by candidates, congregations, or calling entities to consider a candidate outside of the synod of assignment without the consent of the synodical bishop of assignment.

13. The bishops involved must approve the reassignment of a candidate from one synod to another. They will consult with the staff person of the Synodical Relations unit, who is responsible for the reassignment, before the staff acts on such requests by candidates.

14. By mutual agreement between the two bishops, a candidate assigned to one synod may be considered in another synod without reassignment. Responsibility for the candidate rests with the synod of assignment. Such a "contingency assignment" should be communicated in writing to the Synodical Relations unit.

15. Letters of Call are attested by bishops (†S8.12.e. in the Constitution for Synods). This is required for the issuance of a regular, recognized Letter of Call in this church. As the note on the form indicates, such attestation signifies that the call has been properly extended and that the stated terms are accurate. Letters of Call also are attested by the bishop, assuring that the conditions of service are consonant with ELCA documents. In both cases, attestation means that the person called is properly qualified. It does not imply approval of the "match" between the person and the position.

16. On behalf of this church, the bishop ordains (or provides for the ordination of) candidates. Ordinations are arranged and conducted consistent with the policy and practice of the synod whose bishop authorizes them. When the ordination actually takes place in another synod, however, then it must be consistent with the policy and practice of that synod. A bishop who authorizes an ordination in another synod will consult with and obtain the approval of that bishop prior to any planning for the ordination.

17. The practices of bishops differ in nominating candidates to congregations, agencies, and institutions both in respect to the number of persons nominated and the number of nominations a candidate may have simultaneously. Synodical bishops respect these differing practices and keep one another appropriate informed.

18. Bishops normally attach a letter of recommendation to Mobility Information Forms and may also include a confidential information form.

19. In order to meet the full range of needs in the ELCA for ordained ministers and other rostered persons, synodical bishops give priority to less popular locations and areas of the nation when determining synodical and regional assignment and reassignment.

20. Meetings of the Conference of Bishops are a high priority for synodical bishops, for the sake of one's self and each other.

21. Continuing education for bishops through the Academy for Bishops holds the same high priority.

22. Information critical of another synodical bishop is shared with that bishop. After conferring with the colleague, the bishop receiving the information determines a response that is supportive of the colleague and appropriate to the person supplying the information and the situation.

23. Bishops recognize that the ongoing commitment of the ELCA to receive new members who are persons of color or persons whose primary language is other than English requires careful and constant focus in all aspects of the life of the synods. One aspect to which bishops give particular attention in respect to this goal is the development of current and future leaders of this church. Therefore, synodical bishops work regularly with committees, institutions, and other entities in order to develop the leadership of such ethnic persons for:

—graduate studies in theology and in other special disciplines needed by this church; —military chaplaincy; —supervisors in Clinical Pastoral Education; —ministries in ethnic communities; —ministries in the inner city; —ministries in isolated rural areas; —ministries in economically limited areas; and —ministries in more traditional settings

24. Synodical bishops exercise caution and selectivity for the sake of this church when responding to ordained ministers and others outside the ELCA for admission to service as ordained ministers and associates in ministry, deaconesses, or diaconal ministers.

25. Both in establishing policy for the nomination of persons for call and in actual nominations, bishops give particular attention to persons who experience difficulty for reasons of: —ethnic background; —gender; —marriage to another ordained minister or associate in ministry; —age (especially those over 50); —challenging personal conditions; —service in the military chaplaincy; and —returning from overseas mission assignments.

26. It is expected that when a synodical bishop leaves the office, the former bishop will continue to be a resource to this church, including those currently serving in the office of bishops. Often information concerning rostered persons or congregations in crisis will be of benefit to the bishop. It is essential that the trust between present and former bishop will permit the open exchange of pertinent information in a candid and sufficient manner.

Most recent amendment, March 9, 1999, by the Conference of Bishops