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.

• 2025 Model Constitution for Congregations
• 2025 Constitución Modelo para Congregaciones

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.

• 2025 Constitution for Synods
• Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA

Updated congregation constitutions are to be submitted to the NC Synod Council for approval. Please submit your updated constitution to Pastor Jerome Cloninger, chair of the Legal Committee of Synod Council.