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.
May 2026 UPDATE:
The NC Synod Council has approved a Checklist and Process for Submission. Please use these documents to bring your congregation’s constitution into alignment with the recent changes approved at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
