Constitutions

Each of this church's expressions—congregations, synods and the churchwide organization—has a constitution.

• Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA

Synods

• 2022 Constitution for Synods

Congregations

If you have difficulty downloading the 2022 Model Constitution for Congregations, please try downloading the document using the Chrome browser. If this does not work, please email SEC@elca.org to receive a copy by email. We apologize for any inconvenience.

• 2022 Model Constitution for Congregations
• 2022 Constitución Modelo para Congregaciones

Amendments
Each churchwide assembly has amended the constitutions.

• 2022 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
• 2022 Enmiendas a la Constitución Modelo para Congregaciones
• 2022 Amendments to the Constitution for Synods
• Rationale for the 2022 Amendments

It is recommended that ELCA congregations and synods review the adopted amendments for their constitutions as soon as possible after each churchwide assembly to incorporate the required changes and to consider the recommended changes.

The churchwide assembly meets every three years. Amendments to any synod constitution are approved by the synod assembly. Amendments to any congregation constitution are approved by the congregation at its regular meeting. These meetings are governed by parliamentary procedure. Basic information on parliamentary procedure can be found here.