Guidelines for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Prepared by the Office of the Secretary
All of these documents are in PDF format
- Nomination Process for Election to the Church Council and Certain Churchwide Committees and Boards
- Synod Transition Checklist (February 2012)
- Guidelines for Synod Bishop Elections (January 2012)
- Recommendations for Synodical Secretaries (July 2008)
- ELCA Publishing Standards (February 2010)
- Manual of Policies and Procedures for the Management of the Rosters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (November 2010 updated)
- Guidelines for Official Minutes (August 2007)
- Guide for Use of the Model Constitution for Congregations (October 2011, Constitution Review Committees in Synods)
- Exception for Three-Year Parish Rule (November 2010)
- Guidelines Related to Synodically Authorized or Licensed Ministries (November 2010)
- Policy on Criteria for Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities (April 2012)
- Documents of Governance and Policy Related to Federated and Union Congregations (January 1999)
- Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities of the Pastor (2006)
Guide for Completion of the Pastor's Compensation Form (2006, Above)
- Definition of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities for Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Minister under Call (2006)
Guide for Compensation Form for Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Minister (2006, Above)
- Certification of Congregation Records at the Time of a Pastoral Transition (Representative of Synodical Bishop)
- Ministry Policies This page provides the ELCA's current ministry policies and information on the process for implementing changes in ministry policies mandated by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.