The renewal of the church’s governing bodies begins with the same question: whom is God calling to serve in the years ahead? The answer does not depend on the decision of a single person or body. From the nomination process to the formation of the new General Synod, congregations, presbyteries, church districts, and election committees are involved in a process that takes several months in the Reformed Church in Hungary.
In the Reformed Church in Hungary, comprehensive elections for church offices are held every six years. The current term of office ends on 31 December 2026, which means that in the months ahead we will elect new deans, bishops, lay presidents and representatives to the General Synod.
According to the introductory provisions of the Election Act, God has appointed leaders over his people in every age. It is the task of the community to recognise, call and elect those whom God, in his grace, has prepared for service. The renewal of church leadership is therefore not merely an organisational or legal procedure, but also a spiritual responsibility.
1st Stage: Nominations
In the final year of the six-year term, by 30 September at the latest, a nominating assembly must be convened in every church district. This establishes the pool of candidates from which the local church councils will make their choices. The assembly nominates candidates for the positions of dean, chief elder of the presbytery, bishop, lay president of the church district, as well as representatives and alternate representatives to the General Synod.
Candidates must declare that they accept the nomination and meet the requirements laid down by law. Only those who have accepted their nomination may appear on the ballot paper.
2nd Stage: The Ballot Papers are Prepared
Once the nominations have been received, the church district and presbytery election committees check the documents, finalise the lists of candidates and prepare the voting envelopes.
The election committees send the voting package to each local church council by 30 October at the latest. It contains not only the ballot paper, but also an inner and an outer envelope, together with detailed instructions. Every element has a purpose: to ensure the secrecy of the vote and the integrity of the election process.
3rd Stage: The Local Church Council Makes the Decision
In the church, the presiding bodies of the presbyteries and the church districts, as well as the members of the General Synod, are not elected directly by members of the congregations, but by the elders of the individual congregations.
The election therefore begins at the level of the local congregations and is built up step by step all the way to the national leadership of the church.
At its meeting, the local church council decides by secret ballot which candidate it supports for each position. The completed ballot paper is placed in an unmarked inner envelope and, after it has been sealed, into an outer envelope, which is authenticated by the presiding officers of the congregation. The vote is then sent by post or delivered in person to the competent election committee.
The deadline for the votes to arrive is the 24th day after the voting package was sent out.
4th Stage: The Envelopes are Opened
Once the deadline has passed, the counting of the votes begins.
The election committee first checks the submitted envelopes for formal compliance. The outer envelopes are then opened, and the unmarked inner envelopes are collected again. This ensures that the vote can no longer be linked to the congregation that cast it. Only then are the inner envelopes opened and the votes counted.
This two-step procedure ensures both the secrecy of the election and the verifiability of the process.
5th Stage: The Result is Determined
At the end of the election procedures, the election minutes are drawn up, followed by the constituent assemblies.
Between 1 and 15 January 2027, the presbytery assemblies officially announce the final results of the elections for dean, chief elder of the presbytery and General Synod representative, and then elect the other officers of the presbytery.
Between 16 and 31 January 2027, the church district assemblies officially announce the results of the elections for bishop and lay president of the church district, and then elect the other officers of the church district.
The process concludes in February 2027, when the new General Synod convenes. At its first session, it elects its presiding officers, vice-presidents and secretaries; at its second session, it elects the other national office-bearers as well.
DID YOU KNOW?
Nomination is not campaigning
According to the Election Act, members of the nominating assembly carry out their service in “the holy atmosphere of listening to the Word, seeking God’s will and fervent prayer.” The aim is not competition, but the shared discernment of whom God is calling to a particular ministry.
INTERESTING FACT
When can someone appear on the ballot?
Only if they accept the nomination in writing and declare that they meet the requirements laid down by law. For each position, the three candidates receiving the most nominations are placed on the ballot, provided they have received at least ten per cent of the nominations.
HOW IT WORKS
Who elects the bishop?
Some might think that it is the General Synod. In fact, the local church council of the congregations participate in the election of the bishop. Their votes are counted by the church district’s election committee.
ACCORDING TO THE RULES
What happens in the event of a tie?
If none of the candidates for a particular position receives the required majority, a new vote must be held. If the repeated vote does not produce a result either, the law provides for a drawing of lots. This may only take place after the prescribed procedure has been completed and following prayer.
A SMALL BUT IMPORTANT DETAIL
When does the new term begin?
The current term of office ends on 31 December, while the new leaders begin their service on 1 January. Officers elected by the assemblies and the General Synod begin their service after they have been elected.