Misconduct is conduct that violates the norms articulated in Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline: Rostered Ministers, Congregations, and Members of Congregations (April 2025). Such misconduct may be engaged in by

• a clergyperson on eitehr of the rosters of ministers of the ELCA,
• a congregation of the ELCA, or
• a lay member of a congregation of the ELCA.

For misconduct by a lay member of a congregtion, primary report of misconduct should be made to the Congregation Council.

For misconduct by clergy and congregations, the primary report of misconduct should be made to the bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. To report misconduct to the bishop,

• email the bishop at bishop@wv-wd.org,
• call 304-363-4030, or
• mail WV-WMD Synod, 309 Baldwin St., Morgantown, WV 26505

In the event that misconduct by clergy cannot be made to the bishop, report should be made to the vice president of the West Virginia-Western Maryland synod.

Procedures for displine are found in Chapter 20 of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Posted: 23 September 2026