Legal Status of Synods

Responsibilities of the synod

Synods have responsibility to provide for the pastoral care of congregations, ordained ministers, and other rostered persons in the geographical territory of the Synod and for planning the mission of the ELCA in that territory. (Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 10.01. - 10.21.) All 65 Synods are separately incorporated and are legally distinct from each other and any other expression of the ELCA. (CBCR 10.01. - 10.11.) As with congregations, the relationship between Synods and the other expressions of this Church is principally ecclesiastical, not legal. (CBCR 8.17.)

The ELCA has adopted a standard Constitution for Synods, which each synod has adopted. (See: Constitution for Synods; See also CBCR 10.10. -10.13.) The Constitution for Synods includes required provisions designed principally to express the nature and purpose of the entire church and the ecclesiastical relationship between synods and the other expressions of the church. Other provisions may be adopted so long as such provisions are not in conflict with the required provisions or the Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA and are adopted pursuant to the required provisions. (†S18.13. et. seq.)

The Synod Assembly is the highest legislative authority in the Synod, serves as the corporate membership for the Synod, and is required to meet at least once every two years. (CBCR 10.41.; †S7.01 et. seq.) The members of the Synod Assembly include, all ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers in the Synod under call attending the Synod Assembly; lay members elected by each congregation; and the officers of the Synod.⁷ (CBCR 10.41.01.; †S7.21.) Among other actions, the Synod Assembly elects the Synod Council which functions as the Synod's board of directors and the interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly. (†S10.01.) The officers of the Synod are the Bishop (president), vice president, secretary and treasurer who are also elected by the Synod Assembly. (†S8.11., †S8.21., †S8.31., and †S8.41.)