Committees of the Conference of Bishops

 

Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair, three at large members, the Presiding Bishop, and Secretary of the ELCA. Staff liaison is the Executive for Synodical and Constituent Relations. The Executive Committee makes decisions on behalf of the Conference, makes recommendations of appointments to standing committees, gives oversight for Conference of Bishops' meetings and, as needed, assigns work to committees and task forces, coordinates consideration of concerns, issues, and requests for or between meetings of the Conference; offers advice, counsel and support to the Presiding Bishop as requested; and prepares agendas for Conference Meetings.

Committee on Academy and Bishop Formation
The Academy and Bishop Formation Committee is responsible for assisting newly elected bishops in becoming familiar with the Office of Bishop as well as helping them make connections with partners throughout the entire ELCA. The committee also assigns mentors [veteran bishops] to be available to each newly elected bishop for support and guidance as needed.

The Academy is an annual continuing education event for members of the Conference of Bishops only. Typically the Academy is held during the first days of January each year, and attempts to provide stimulating presenters on a variety of topics. One of the most important components of the Academy is the opportunity for fellowship and relationship building among colleagues in the Conference.

Committee on Roster
The Roster Committee of the Conference of Bishops functions for the purpose of reviewing roster criteria and procedures for requests from synods and providing recommendations for action by the Conference of Bishops relative to ELCA constitutional requirements for roster categories. Specific roster matters addressed by the Committee are:

  • Exception for Three Year Parish Service Rule
  • Extension of Three Year On Leave From Call status
  • Calls to Non-Congregational Service
  • Calls to Non-Stipendiary Service
  • Calls to Serve in Unusual Circumstances

Liaison with Vocation and Education
The Liaison Committee to the Vocation and Education unit from the Conference of Bishops serves in an advisory role to the staff of the Vocation and Education Unit and to the unit’s program committee. Proposed new and revised policies are reviewed and recommendations are made to matters under consideration by the unit. These items may be generated by the unit, by referral from the Church Council, or by referral from the Conference of Bishops. This Liaison Committee reports to the Conference of Bishops at its meetings, receives the counsel of the CoB, and raises with the Vocation and Education staff, questions generated in meetings and conversations of the bishops.

Liaison with Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations
The Liaison Committee to Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations [ER] facilitates communication and coordination between the Conference of Bishops and ER to assist both in their work.

The committee will:

  • maintain awareness of ER's work through personal attention and through regular reports from staff
  • assist in interpreting ER's work to the other bishops, be a channel for counsel and questions from COB to ER as requested, assist the COB in dealing with ecumenical matters by providing resources and resource people, framing questions, and consulting on related matters
  • encourage COB members in carrying out their ecumenical responsibilities within their synods, including their use of Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives Network [LERN] representatives
  • encourage COB members who have accepted special assignments to dialogue teams or ecumenical governing boards [these bishops will also be invited to be advisory members of the committee]
  • individual committee members may be given ecumenical assignments by this church

Companion Synod Liaison Committee
The Companion Synod Liaison Committee of the Conference of Bishops seeks to enhance and strengthen relationships between ELCA bishops and their companion synods or dioceses. In addition, the committee seeks to assist when policy questions arise or difficult situations develop in these relationships.

Liaison with Church Council
"The Church Council shall have as advisory members nine synodical bishops, each elected by the Conference of Bishops to one four-year term. One bishop shall be elected from each region." The chair of the CoB also serves in an advisory capacity to the Church Council. [ELCA Constitution 14.32.01]. Advisory members to the church council shall have voice but not vote. The Chair of the Conference of Bishops offers a report on behalf of the Conference at each regularly scheduled Council meeting.

Committee on Theological and Ethical Concerns
Assisted by this committee, the conference serves as a forum for reflections upon the theological and ethical implications of issues that affect this church.

Synodical-Churchwide Relations
The Synodical-Churchwide Relations Committee is established to assist churchwide units and related organizations in securing review, advice, consultation, and recommendations by the Conference of Bishops on policies and programs. It is available to churchwide units and other ELCA entities that do not have a continuing liaison committee with the conference.

Shared Risk Administration Committee
The Shared Risk Fund, established by the Conference of Bishops in 1992, permits participating synods a degree of protection against the costs of disciplinary proceedings against rostered leaders and congregations. After a deductible of $10,000 has been satisfied, eligible expenses may be submitted for partial or full reimbursement according to Fund guidelines. Synods are assessed premiums of $2.00 per rostered person and $2.00 per congregation.

Good Samaritan Committee
This committee reviews the history of the usage of funds, decides on focus groups and appropriate application forms. The committee also reviews the work of Synodical Relations in overseeing the fund. (See application and guidelines under the “Good Samaritan” tab in your red orientation binder).

Committee on Ministry Among People in Poverty
The Mission Statement of the Committee on Ministry Among People in Poverty: "Rooted in the biblical witness and shaped by the compassion of Christ, we assist the Conference of Bishops in engaging the church in ministry with and among persons in poverty." The committee's work revolves around five strategies:
1. Hold one another [i.e., ELCA bishops] accountable for living out our commitment to ministry with and among persons in poverty in our synodical work,
2. Advocate for all our actions and decisions to be considered for their effect on the poor,
3. Build awareness of and support for current effective work and potential new work,
4. Serve as liaison with churchwide units and other partnerships, stimulating linkages with local ministries,
5. Encourage personal experiences and encounters, locally and globally, with people living in poverty as a way to enliven the church.