Constitution Resources

Your congregation’s constitution is meant to be a living document, one that requires occasional care and attention for it to remain healthy and vibrant. It provides a framework for living together as a community beholden to Christ, as part of the larger church. Keeping it up-to-date means that you can focus on the important missional work central to your life as a congregation.

Do we need an update?
Yes! The ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly makes changes to the Model Constitution for Congregations every three years, with the most recent update in the summer of 2025. All congregations need to make at least some changes to their constitutions to remain current.

Is there an easy way to do this?
Yes! The synod is here to accompany you. We can support your process from start to finish, with help in preparing updates to your constitution, and creating a roadmap to complete the process.

How do we start?
Just contact constitutions@gmselca.org (include your name, email, phone, and congregation and city) and we’ll help you start the process. The first step will be to confer with you, using your current constitution as a starting point. This conversation is important, to be sure that the updating process and resources you use are appropriate for your situation.

Do you need some help to get started or have a few questions? Use our form to reach us and we’ll get back to you quickly.

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How can we help you?

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

Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA

Congregations

Amendments
Each churchwide assembly has amended the constitutions.

It is recommended that ELCA congregations 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.

Please visit the ELCA.org website to learn more and see model constitutions from former years.

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Only updates to conform to the most recent ELCA Model Constitution

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Date of the Congregation Meeting at which these amendments were approved(Required)

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Submissions for synod approval must include:

Constitution and bylaws as approved/ratified by congregation (Word document only)

Constitution and bylaws in effect prior to this action (may be pdf or Word)

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Constitution Resources

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