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. The model is consistent with the requirements of the constitutional governing documents of the ELCA’s churchwide organization and synods.The current edition of the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America contains changes (amendments) adopted by all previous Churchwide Assemblies. The Constitution Committee reviews and approves the constitutions of both this synod and the congregations of the synod. It also serves as a resource to those considering updating or revising their constitutions.
- 2024 USS Constitution
- Guide for Congregation Constitution Committees
- Procedure for Updating a Constitution
- Cheat Sheet for Updating Your Congregations Constitution
- Highlighted changes for Model Constitution for Congregations of the ELCA
- Constitution Workshop part 1
- Constitution Workshop part 2
Here are video recordings from a Constitution workshop: