The new edition of the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America contains changes adopted by the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. It is consistent with the requirements of the governing documents of the ELCA’s churchwide organization and synods, and it provides organizational flexibility to recognize the context of local congregations. This updated model constitution is what your congregation will need to use if/when you modify your existing constitutions.
The Model Constitution for Congregations may be downloaded from the ELCA website. Sections of the constitution marked by an asterisk [*] are required when a congregation amends its governing documents.
Congregations are to provide a copy of its governing documents to the synod office for review. Amendments to a congregation constitution become effective only when approved by the synod. You may submit your revised constitution to Crystal McCormick in the synod office at cmccormick@sdsynod.org or mail them to the synod office.
