Constitutions
The governing documents of the ELCA, its synods and congregations are constitutions, bylaws and amendments which help to structure the organization for effective and efficient service.
The 2011 Churchwide Assembly approved many revisions to these documents. Linked below are the constitutional changes (in PDF format) related to each Constitution: Churchwide, Synod and Congregation. Also below is a message from the ELCA Office of the Secretary specifically related to the Model Constitution for Congregations; please refer to that section and utilize this information as you revise and update any constitution.
There are both required and recommended changes. REQUIRED changes are effective with Churchwide Assembly approval. These revisions are “given” and need to be placed in each constitution. The RECOMMENDED changes must be taken to the governing body (synod council or congregational meeting to approve), then placed in the constitution. All congregational constitution changes need to be submitted to the Synod Office for Synod Council approval prior to ratification at a congregational meeting.
For more information, please contact Sherry Krieger at sherry.krieger@nwos-elca.org or 419.423.3664.
2011 ELCA Constitution Revisions
2011 Synod Constitution Revisions
2011 MODEL Constitution for Congregations revisions
Current Northwestern Ohio Synod Constitution (ratified May, 2011)
Model Constitution for Congregations (2009)
Guide to Model Constitution for Congregations (2007)
Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America originally was adopted by the Constituting Convention of this church in Columbus, Ohio, on April 30, 1987. This was done as required by the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
This current edition of the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America contains changes adopted by the 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009 Churchwide Assemblies.
The model is consistent with the requirements of the constitutional governing documents of the ELCA’s churchwide organization and synods.
> Required provisions: Sections of this constitution marked by an asterisk [*] are required when a congregation amends its governing documents. These sections must be used without alteration or amendment of the text in any manner (neither additions nor deletions). This is in keeping with provision 9.52. in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This provision stipulates that when a congregation of this church “wishes to amend any provision of its governing documents, the governing documents of that congregation shall be so amended to conform to 9.25.b.” in the churchwide constitution. The provisions herein marked by an asterisk are those that are indicated as required in ELCA constitutional provision 9.25.b.
> Review by synod: In keeping with provisions that apply to all congregations of this church, each congregation is to provide a copy of its governing documents to the synod. As specified by ELCA bylaw 9.53.03. (numbering as listed in the 1991 and subsequent editions):
All proposed changes in the constitution or incorporation documents of a congregation shall be referred to the synod with which the congregation is affiliated. The synod shall approve or disapprove the proposed changes within 120 days of receipt thereof, and shall notify the congregation of its decision; in the absence of a decision, the changes shall go into effect.
> Codification explanation: A numerical codification indicates (a) general subject, (b) constitutional provisions, (c) bylaws, and (d) continuing resolutions.
a. Major sectors are designated as chapters. The chapter designation becomes the first number in the codification sequence and is followed by a period. Thus, provisions in “Chapter 8. Membership” are preceded by “8.”
b. Constitutional provisions are codified with two sets of numbers: the chapter number and a two-digit number preceding the second period in the codification. Thus, one constitutional provision related to “Membership” is codified *C8.02.c. Bylaw provisions are codified with three sets of numbers: the chapter number, the related constitutional provision number, and a two-digit number. Thus, one bylaw provision related to “Membership” would be codified C8.02.01. Because bylaws and continuing resolutions normally are so specifically related to details of each congregation’s organization, operation, and life, no model set of bylaws or continuing resolutions is provided. Each congregation may develop its own bylaws and continuing resolutions, but no such bylaws or continuing resolutions may conflict with this constitution, the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the constitution of the synod, as indicated in *C6.03.e.
d. The Congregation Council may adopt “continuing resolutions,” which may provide descriptions of operational patterns or of the ongoing responsibilities of committees or other units within the organizational structure of the congregation. Within the governing documents of a congregation, continuing resolutions are the provisions most easily amended. Unlike constitutional provisions and bylaws, continuing resolutions may be updated regularly by the Congregation Council without the necessity of calling a regular or special Congregation Meeting. Continuing resolutions also are codified with three sets of numbers except that the third set is preceded by a capital letter. Thus, a continuing resolution might be numbered C13. to designate the chapter; C13.07. to designate the subject matter within the chapter; and the third set might be numbered A05. in the codification C13.07.A05. to indicate by the “A” that it is the first continuing resolution regarding that subject and to indicate by the “05” that it was adopted in 2005.
> Ease of use: The provisions of your congregation’s constitution, the bylaws, and the continuing resolutions that pertain to the same matter should be placed together for clarity and ease in use.
If chapter numbers are considered the major sequence number, constitution numbers as a fraction of the chapter number, and bylaw numbers as a fraction of the constitution number, then the codification can be said to provide a progressive sequence. Thus, *C5.01. will precede C5.03.10., and C9.11.16. will precede *C9.13.
All provisions in the Model Constitution for Congregations are prefaced with “C” to distinguish these provisions from comparable ones in the synodical and churchwide constitutions.
> Missing numbers: As you work with the Model Constitution for Congregations, you may notice that certain numbers seem to be missing from the numbering sequence in some chapters. That is intentional. In the style followed here, the number “.10.” and multiples thereof have been reserved for possible use as section headings in future editions. Therefore, in the sequence, for example, of Chapters 1, 9, and 12, these “.10.” numbers do not appear.
> Selection of options: Alternatives are provided in certain places within the model. Those are noted by square brackets. For example, *C9.01. offers the alternative of election of a call committee by the congregation or by the Congregation Council. One alternative should be chosen in each instance where square brackets appear in the text.
Optional texts are provided in separate paragraphs in Chapters 11 and 12 regarding the Congregation Council and its membership. Each congregation will need to select one of those options for council membership or a variation thereof, subject to approval through the synod’s constitutional review process.
> References to church: In the governing documents, “Church” with a capital letter is used in references to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. In references to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the words “church” and “this church” in lower case letters are employed, although, for clarity in this constitution, the full name or “ELCA” normally is used.
The specific congregation may be identified, as provided in C1.02., as “this congregation.”
> Guidelines: A list of guidelines for a congregation engaging in review and amendment of its constitution is available through each synod office and on this ELCA Web site.
The task of amending a constitution is not easy. It is, however, an important endeavor that merits thoughtful work. In your constitutional responsibilities, God grant you wisdom, mutual love, clear understanding of good order, and commitment to the unity of this church in faithful witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.