2023 Thrivent Election Results
Disappointing but expected
The results of the 2023 Thrivent Board of Directors election were released and there are, unfortunately, no surprises. The three incumbent candidates, which were recommended by the BOD for re-election have been re-elected.
The results say those who voted were pleased with the direction Thrivent is taking, but most members did not vote.
You can see the release here.
Here is there breakdown of votes:
The top three candidates are the incumbents, and easily won reelection. 539,348 total votes were cast. There are approximately 2.3 million members of Thrivent. If each voted once that would be about a quarter of the members participating, but each member was able to vote for 3 candidates, and if those that voted, voted three times, then that is closer to 8% participation.
In my Voter Guide, published when the voting began in October, I had recommended Michael Fiffik, Amy Ridenour Little, and Paul W. Otto. Thank you to those of you who read that guide and also voted. Daniel Ross, another LCMS pastor, also suggested Kathryn Marinello who did win re-election.
Incumbents are often reelected and that is the case for Thrivent as well:
What now?
Stay involved. Keep voting. There were regional elections along with the national election.
Here are the details on making nominations.
Make your board recommendations
Any Thrivent client with membership can suggest candidates for the national board of directors. If you know an active Thrivent client with membership who you think would be a strong board candidate, contact your local Thrivent Member Network board chair by May 31. Not sure who that is? Call 800-847-4836; say "fraternal" at the prompt. Or go to thrivent.com/tmn and scroll down to enter your ZIP Code. You'll be taken to your Thrivent Member Network page. Click on "Contact Us."You also can make candidate suggestions for your local Thrivent Member Network Regional Board. Simply fill out the form at thrivent.com/about-us/member-networks/tmn-nominee.
Pray
Thrivent has great potential to do a lot of good. I know we’ve used Choice Dollars many times at our congregation. Make use of those resources for faithful causes. Keep praying that our institutions remain faithful to Scripture.