Submit your search

Official Guidelines for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Prepared by the Office of the Secretary

 

All of these documents are in PDF formatThis document is in PDF format

  • Nomination Process for Election to the Church Council and Certain Churchwide Committees and Boards 
  • Guidelines for Synod Bishop Elections (2012 version)
  • 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 (July 2010 revised)
  • Guidelines for Official Minutes (August 2007, revised)
  • Guide for Use of the Model Constitution for Congregations (October 2011 edition for Constitution Review Committees in Synods)
  • 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 
  • Policy on Criteria for Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities
  • 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 steps for completion of form)
  • Certification of a Congregation's Records at the Time of a Pastoral Transition
  • 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.

    •  

    © Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | 800-638-3522