Sweden: Inclusive and democratic church elections
To make the church election accessible to everyone
(LWI) – The Church of Sweden, a member church of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), held its last church election on September 6-19. After being a state church until 2000, this largest denomination in the country now conducts church elections independently and strives for a high participation among about 5 million eligible members.
“This year we saw a turnout of 17.4 percent,” says Jiang Millington, the Church of Sweden’s communications manager for the church election. βIt is slightly lower than the elections in 2017, but a clearly higher number than elections in the 2000s. At that time, turnout was 11-14 percent. β
The Church of Sweden’s inclusive approach means that election information is provided in 16 languages, easy-to-read Swedish, spoken web and sign language on the church’s website. Voting can also take place on election day and through early voting, postal voting and proxy voting. “It is important to provide equal opportunities for all members with the right to vote in church elections,” Millington explains. “It’s a question of democratic heritage.”
Another part of the legacy is nomination groups that strive for representation in the church. These are associations and interest groups formed to participate in the church election. Anyone who wants to get involved can either join an existing group or start a new one together with others.
In the end, it is the members of the Church of Sweden who decide how the church’s case is handled by casting their vote on a specific nomination group.
“It is important that the Church of Sweden, as the organizer of the election, respects the democratic process and remains neutral towards the 601 nomination groups that stand in the election,” says Millington.
Local, regional and national representation
While the General Synod, which consists of 251 delegates, is the Church of Sweden’s governing body at the national level, elections have also taken place for the diocesan council at the regional level and parish assemblies at the local level. “Elections at all levels are by direct suffrage, every four years,” Millington explains.
The responsibilities of the elected members towards the governing bodies at national, diocesan and parish level lie with operational priorities and budgets. On the other hand, the teachings and beliefs of the ecclesiastical officers, namely, bishops, pastors, and deacons, are determined.
“Issues concerning the Church of Sweden’s beliefs, services or ecumenical relations are discussed by the Education Commission before the General Synod can make a decision,” Millington explains. The Doctrinal Commission consists of the 14 bishops and eight other theological experts. Therefore, it can be seen as a guarantor of too rapid or radical changes in matters concerning the internal affairs of the Church. β