Each year, every congregation, synod-authorized worshiping community (SAWC) and new start is asked to provide information about its people, finances, and resources through the Annual Congregation Report. This provides the churchwide organization and synods with a record of the congregations and worshiping communities that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
In mid-January 2025, all ELCA congregations, SAWCs and new starts will receive the 2024 Annual Congregation Report letter through the mail. If your congregation or worshiping community would like to begin compiling information for the report before receiving the packet, electronic versions of Form A and several supporting documents are available below. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will help you navigate the process.
Resources
- Letter from Secretary Sue Rothmeyer - PDF
- 2024 Form A - PDF
- General instructions - PDF -- COMING SOON
- Financial Stewardship Worksheet - PDF
- Financial Stewardship Worksheet - Excel
- Why a congregation report? - Video
Los recursos en español estarán disponibles enero de 2025.
The Annual Congregation Report is one of the tools the churchwide organization and synods use to measure the vitality and resources of this church so we can better understand how we are equipped to share the Good News of Jesus with our neighbors. It helps give us a clearer picture of who we are as a church so we can plan for our future.
The Annual Congregation Report consists of one form, Form A, which asks for statistical information about the membership, attendance, and stewardship of your congregation or worshiping community.
This year, you will only receive a letter from Secretary Rothmeyer. It should arrive by mid-January 2025. Your congregation ID and password—needed to file Form A online—are printed at the top of the letter.
The system for online submission will open in mid-January 2025. You can access this system at elca.org/congregationreport.
You can find the password for your congregation:
- At the top of Form A, included in the mailed packet.
- By emailing Research and Evaluation at research@elca.org.
- By contacting your synod office.
A copy of the letter as well as all Annual Congregation Report documents are available above. However, to file your Form A online at elca.org/congregationreport, you will need your congregation ID and password.
- To find your congregation ID, go to directory.elca.org. Click on the “Congregations” tab and enter information about your congregation or worshiping community. Clicking on your congregation or worshiping community’s name will bring you to your directory page. The congregation ID is the 5-digit number located under the mailing address in the contact information column.
- To receive your password, email Research and Evaluation at research@elca.org or contact your synod office.
Please download and print a blank copy of Form A using the link above. Complete this form, make a copy, and mail the original to your synod office. If you need a customized copy of Form A, similar to what you have received in prior years, please email Research and Evaluation at research@elca.org.
Whether you complete Form A electronically or on paper, please submit it by March 1, 2025.
Data from your congregation or worshiping community’s most recent Form A submission will be displayed in the online system.
The best place to find additional data from previous years is through your congregation or worshiping community’s trend report, accessible through directory.elca.org. Click on the “Congregations” tab and enter information about your congregation or worshiping community. Clicking on your congregation or worshiping community’s name will bring you to your directory page.
On the right-hand side of the page is a green “Trend Report” button. The trend report includes current information about your congregation or worshiping community as well as historical trends in attendance, membership, and active participation. Previously submitted information on giving and finances can be found in the “Printer Ready Report.”
The online system, available at elca.org/congregationreport, will remain open to collect the 2023 Form A through Dec. 20, 2024. After that date you will need to complete the 2023 Form A on paper, scan it, and send it to research@elca.org.