Office of the Bishop
The Bishop of the Nebraska Synod is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament selected to lead the Synod by the Synod Assembly every six years. Among the Bishop’s many duties are:
- preaching, teaching and administering the sacraments in accord with the Confession of Faith of the church.
- the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Synod and its congregations, providing pastoral care and leadership for the Synod, its congregations, its ordained ministers and its other rostered leaders.
- exercising the church’s power to ordain approved candidates to ordained ministry in the ELCA.
- commissioning approved candidates for service as associates in ministry and consecrating approved candidates for service as diaconal ministers and deaconesses.
- installing the rostered leaders of the Synod’s congregations.
The Bishop also exercises leadership in the mission of this church by:
- interpreting and advocating the mission and theology of the whole church.
- fostering support for and commitment to the mission of this church within the Synod.
- coordinating the use of the resources available to the Synod as it seeks to promote the health of the church’s life and witness.
- submitting a report to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly concerning the Synod’s life and work.
- advising and providing counsel to the Synod’s related institutions and organizations.
- exercising oversight of the preaching, teaching and administration of the sacraments within the Synod in accord with the Confession of Faith of the church.
- administering the constitutionally-established processes for the resolution of controversies and for the discipline of ordained ministers, other rostered leaders, and congregations of the Synod.
- serving as the Synod’s chief ecumenical officer.
- consult regularly with other synodical bishops and the Conference of Bishops.
- fostering awareness of other churches throughout the Lutheran world communion and, where appropriate, engaging in contact with leaders of those churches.
- cultivating communion in faith and mission with appropriate Christian judicatory leaders functioning within the territory of the Synod.
- serving as an ex officio a member of the Churchwide Assembly.
- presiding at all meetings of the Synod Assembly.
- exercising supervision over the work of the Synod’s officers and staff.
- appointing all committees for which provision is not otherwise made.
- providing for preparation and maintenance of synodical rosters.
