Slideshow image

Zion is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (or ELCA). And next week, Lutherans from across the country – including Iowa! – will gather in Phoenix, Arizona for the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly is the primary decision-making body of the ELCA. It’s a process of communal spiritual discernment. When it convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. Over the course of the assembly, voting members:

  • Hear reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units.
  • Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies.
  • Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws.
  • Establish ELCA churchwide policy.
  • Worship together.
  • Adopt a budget.
  • Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.

This is an especially consequential assembly, as voting members will elect a new presiding bishop and a new secretary of the church. These are the two most influential positions in the ELCA. Our own Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Amy Current may be part of that election process, perhaps with Metro Chicago Synod Bishop Yehiel Curry and Southeastern Synod Bishop Kevin Strickland.

Pray this week that the Holy Spirit guides our Churchwide Assembly and this congregation, for the sake of the world.

Thanks be to God.

Leadership
Leadership