Congregational Constitutions

Delaware-Maryland Synod
ELCA
Procedure for Approval of
Congregational Governing Documents

1. The congregation's constitution committee prepares the documents - either a new constitution and/or bylaws or amendments to existing documents. Note that when amendments are made to an existing constitution, the entire constitution must be in compliance with the asterisked [*] sections of the current Model Constitution for Congregations. This document can be downloaded from the ELCA website (www.elca.org) or ordered through the Delaware-Maryland Synod.
2. When a congregation intends to amend its constitution, the entire document must be brought into compliance with the Model Constitution for Congregations in the mandated (asterisked) sections. Amendments only to bylaws must be sent to the synod, but they do not need synod approval. Bylaws amendments are reviewed to ensure they do not conflict with the constitution.
3. Certain chapters, 10 through 14, pertain to a congregation's manner of conducting its business and are not mandated by the ELCA. They are reviewed to ensure they do not conflict with mandated sections.
4. Congregations are urged to submit a draft document for review by the Constitution & Bylaws Committee (CBC). If the CBC requires changes in the draft document, these can be made before the document goes to the congregation for the vote, thus avoiding the necessity for taking the document back to the congregation for the second time. The document is sent to: Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA, The Lutheran Center, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21230-3850, Attn: Ellen Scarborough.
5. The CBC will review the draft documents and will send its recommendations to the congregation's constitution committee. The congregation's constitution committee will make the necessary changes, if any.
6. The congregation's constitution committee or Congregation Council reviews Chapter 16 (Bylaws) and/or Chapter 17 (Amendments). The procedure for amending existing constitutions or approving new constitutions is the procedure outlined in the congregation's existing constitution.
7. The congregation will vote to approve the document. The congregation sends the approved document to the CBC with a cover page listing the name and address of the congregation and the date of approval. The synod has 120 days to respond from the time the document is received in the synod office. The CBC prepares a recommendation for approval to the Synod Council or Executive Committee.
8. The Synod Council or Executive Committee will inform the congregation of its action.

It is the responsibility of the secretary of the Congregation Council to forward approved constitutions and/or bylaws to the synod. If the documents are not sent, the prior constitution and/or bylaws are in force.

Questions about congregational constitutions are to be directed to:

Patricia Knodel e-mail: Constitutions@DeMdSynod.org