Congregations are centers for mission where people of faith celebrate, learn, and connect with one another and others around the world through service and weekly worship.
The Congregation Council is an elected body of the congregation which has oversight of the life of the congregation, including its worship life, to the end that everything is done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the ELCA.
Council leaders will find helpful resources here. More information is also available on the NC Synod's Church Vitality page.
Compensation Guidelines
Use these guidelines for budget planning.
The previous year's documents are in the tab box below under Treasurers.
Council Resources
2025 Model Constitution for Congregations
The 2025 ELCA model constitution for congregations includes required and recommended amendments. Required changes reflect our shared identity as this church, binding congregations together in unity while allowing local freedom. Updating your congregation’s constitution brings it into conformity, ensuring both consistency across the ELCA and alignment with collective wisdom for healthy ministry.
Following the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, held Monday, July 28, through Saturday, August 2, each of this church’s expressions—congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization—has a revised constitution. See the amendments and rationale for 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.
Visit LinkTreasurers
Compensation Guidelines Narrative—2025 Approved
This document gives additional insight into the Compensation Guidelines for rostered ministers of this synod. This was approved by the NC Synod Council on October 5, 2024.
View DocumentCompensation Guidelines Charts—2025 Approved
This document offers detailed charts for figuring out compensation for rostered ministers of this synod. These were approved by the NC Synod Council on October 5, 2024.
View DocumentCompensation Guidelines—2026 Approved
These 2026 Compensation Guidelines were approved by the NC Synod Assembly (May 29-31, 2025) for ministry leaders serving congregations—including Ministers of Word & Sacrament, Ministers of Word & Service, and Synod Authorized Ministers.
View DocumentCompensation Guidelines—2027 Approved
These 2027 Compensation Guidelines were approved by the NC Synod Assembly (May 29-31, 2025) for ministry leaders serving congregations—including Ministers of Word & Sacrament, Ministers of Word & Service, and Synod Authorized Ministers.
View DocumentCommittee Expense Report
Requests for reimbursement, accompanied by a receipt, must be submitted within 30 days of incurring the expense.
View DocumentConflict Management
Ice Breakers
2025 Model Constitution for Congregations
The 2025 ELCA model constitution for congregations includes required and recommended amendments. Required changes reflect our shared identity as this church, binding congregations together in unity while allowing local freedom. Updating your congregation’s constitution brings it into conformity, ensuring both consistency across the ELCA and alignment with collective wisdom for healthy ministry.
Following the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, held Monday, July 28, through Saturday, August 2, each of this church’s expressions—congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization—has a revised constitution. See the amendments and rationale for 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.
Visit LinkCompensation Guidelines Charts—2025 Approved
This document offers detailed charts for figuring out compensation for rostered ministers of this synod. These were approved by the NC Synod Council on October 5, 2024.
View DocumentCompensation Guidelines—2026 Approved
These 2026 Compensation Guidelines were approved by the NC Synod Assembly (May 29-31, 2025) for ministry leaders serving congregations—including Ministers of Word & Sacrament, Ministers of Word & Service, and Synod Authorized Ministers.
View DocumentCompensation Guidelines—2027 Approved
These 2027 Compensation Guidelines were approved by the NC Synod Assembly (May 29-31, 2025) for ministry leaders serving congregations—including Ministers of Word & Sacrament, Ministers of Word & Service, and Synod Authorized Ministers.
View DocumentRecorded Zoom Meetings
Congregation Council Zoom Playlist
This YouTube playlist contains recordings and links for handouts from each Zoom meeting with council presidents.
Watch VideoQuarterly Treasurer Zoom Meeting
This YouTube playlist contains recordings from Quarterly Treasurer Zoom Meetings.
Watch Video