Synod 1st Vice-President: The Nominees
It can be confusing to keep track of all the moving parts of how things work regarding the synodical convention. This information is a quick guide to the election of the 1st Vice-President of Synod.
Congregations were able to submit nominations for various leadership positions in synod, including president, 1st vice-president, and a vice-president specific for their region. Those nominations were due in mid-February. Normally the top 20 nominees would be included on the slate for 1st vice-president, but due to some ties, there are 21 who have been nominated and given their consent to serve, if elected at the 2026 convention:
- Peter K. Lange (current 1st vice-president)
- Christopher S. Esget
- Allan R. Buss
- Jeffrey P. Cloeter
- Jamison J. Hardy
- Timothy P. (Tim) Ahlman
- Lawrence R. Rast, Jr.
- Dien A. Taylor
- David A. Davis
- Don R. (Richard) Stuckwisch, Jr. (Indiana District President)
- Jeffrey Kloha
- Alfonso O. Espinosa
- Jeffrey E. Skopak
- Deric A. Taylor
- Victor J. Belton
- Jacob S. Gillard
- Byrene K. (Keith) Haney
- Mark R. Hoehner
- Eric T. Lange
- Scott C. Sailer
- Sean A. Willman
The election of the 1st vice-president is a little different than most elections. For this particular process, not all 20 (21 this year) are presented to the voters at the synodical convention. Instead, the president-elect first gets to “limit the field”, so to speak.
The presidential election will be held in June, with results posted by July 4. Whoever is elected as synodical president gets to then select FIVE candidates from the 1st vice-president slate, at least 2 of whom must be among the top five nominees (listed in green in the list above). It is that narrowed down list of just 5 nominees for 1st vice-president that will then go before the voters early at the synodical convention for the final vote.
So who are those convention voters? Voters at the convention itself are made up of a pastor and a lay delegate from each electoral circuit, as determined at their circuit forum. Not familiar with circuit forums? Circuits are small groupings of area churches, who are served by a circuit visitor, elected at our district convention. When there is an official meeting of the circuit for official business, it is called a circuit forum. Get to know your circuit visitor, as he is there to help as needed with various things such as call processes, conference and convention information, installations, helping with communication between the churches and the district president, monthly meetings with all the pastors of the circuit, and more. You can find a listing of all the Indiana District circuit visitors on the district website under the PRESIDENT tab under CIRCUIT VISITORS.
The synod 1st vice-president, along with the president and other officers, will be installed September 18, 2026 in St. Louis, and will serve a 3-year term.
As you can see, members of the district and individual congregations have several opportunities along the way where they can be involved. Each parish has an right and responsibility to make its voice heard and play an active role in the life of our church. The more your know, the easier it is to make informed choices and feel like a true member of our church body. We encourage all Indiana District congregations and individuals to take steps to better understand how things happen, and to actively participate throughout the process!