Official Guidelines

Prepared by the Office of the Secretary

All of these documents are in PDF format

• 2009 Nominations Workbook  for Churchwide Committees and Program Committees and Boards of Churchwide Units 
• Guidelines for Synod Bishop Elections (February 2008)
• Choosing a Synod Bishop: Questions to Assist in Preparation (revised 2006)
• Choosing a Synod Bishop: Questions to Assist in Preparation Leader's Guide (revised 2006)
• Recommendations for Synodical Secretaries  (July 2008)
• ELCA Publishing Standards 
• Manual of Policies and Procedures for the Management of the Rosters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (November 2005 and updated April 2006 and 2009)
• Guidelines for Official Minutes (August 2007 revised)
• Exception for the Three-Year Parish Rule
• Guidelines Related to Synodically Authorized or Licensed Ministries – Part 1  
• Guidelines Related to Synodically Authorized or Licensed Ministries – Part 2 
• Documents of Governance and Policy Related to Federated and Union Congregations 
• Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities of the Pastor (2007 form)
• Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities of the Pastor (2006 steps for completion of form) 
• Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities for Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Minister under Call (2006 form) 
• Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities for Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Minister under Call (2006 steps for completion of form)
• Certification of a Congregation's Records at the time of a Pastoral Transition