Page Contents Churchwide Polity Synod Polity Polity for Congregations Workshops & Presentations

Welcome to the newly (re)designed constellation of pages for all matters related to polity. This is a landing page. You find links to information related to both synodical and congregational polity.

Churchwide Polity

The ELCA describes itself as one church in three expressions (the Churchwide expression, the synod, and the congregation). One aspect of that interdependence is the way in which the constitutions of the various expressions interact. The sixty-five synods, as creatures of the Churchwide expression, feature in their respective constitutions required provisions (indicated by daggers) that are established by action of the Churchwide Assembly. The Model Constitution for Congregations also features required provisions (indicated by asterisks) established by action of the Chuchwide Assembly. For this reason congregations and synods should pay attention to proposed amendments to the these documents, especially in regards to the required provisions. With Churchwide Assembly 2025 behind us, we await the publication of those amendments to all three constitutions adopted by the Assembly. We'll post them when we have them.

Synod Polity

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• synodical governing documents (Constitution, Bylaws, etc.),
• Synod Council and Synod Assembly information, and
• directories of synod officers, councilors, committee members, and appointees.

Polity for Congregations

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• information on congregational constitutions (including updating and amending)
• tips for parliamentary procedure
• property matters, and more...
  

Workshops & Presentations

The WV-WMD Synod offers workshops and presentations for congregations on a variety of topics, including matters of polity. The following are currently available, but more will be added as time goes on. If there is something you would like to see that is not listed, contact Bishop Riegel. To make arrangements for a presentation or workshop, email Bishop Riegel (Bishop@WV-WMD.org).

• Intro to Roberts Rules of Order
• Increasing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Council Meetings
  
• Managing Your Membership Rolls
• Updating Constitutions & Bylaws

In addition, United Lutheran Seminary periodically offers polity-oriented educational programs.

Events that have been scheduled can be found on the synod's Education for Clergy & Laity page.

Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church

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