Steeple Image

Congregation Resources

Constitution and Bylaws of the South Dakota Synod

The Constitution and Bylaws of the South Dakota Synod issued August 2012 is available for download.

Constitution Resources for Congregations

The basic commitments of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as well as its organizational outline, structural patterns, and rubrics or governance are reflected by this church’s constitutions, bylaws, and continuing resolutions. These documents govern our life together as congregations, synods, and churchwide organization.

We find ourselves consulting these documents again and again to guide, direct, and assist us. They express for us, as a church body, our understanding of the nature of the Church. They contain our statement of purpose and our principles of organization. They define our membership, our relationship, and our operating patterns.

Model Constitutions for Congregations may be found on the ELCA website.  If you have questions as you are revisiting your congregations’s constitution, please contact Crystal in the synod office at 605-274-4024.

Additional Resources:

  1. A Brief Overview of Congregation Constitution Review Process
  2. Constitution Revision Flow Chart
  3. Congregation Constitution Amendment Flowchart
  4. Rostered Ministry Declaration for Congregations

Compensation and Guidelines for Rostered Leaders,
Rostered Lay Leaders, and Lay Staff

2013 Compensation and Guidelines
Effective January 1, 2013

South Dakota Synod Council Minutes

The minutes for the South Dakota Synod Council are made available to the public after the council and bishop’s approval.

2012 Minutes:

Ordained Interim and Supply Pastors

The 2013 May Ordained Interim & Supply Pastors list is available for congregations seeking a supply or interim pastor. Compensation guidelines can be found on the bottom of each page.  Please contact these pastors directly.

Rostered Lay & Others Available for Pulpit Supply

The 2013 May Lay Pulpit Supply list is available for congregations seeking an individual to preach and lead worship on a Sunday morning. Compensation guidelines can be found on the bottom of each page.  Please contact these individuals directly.

Resources for Annual Reviews

Mutual Ministry Handbook: Guidance for Healthy Congregations
Written by Bishop Robert Driessen of the Upper Susquehanna Synod

The term “mutual ministry” recognizes that the Church’s ministry is the mutual concern of both the laity and the pastor. It encourages us to move away from a primary focus on the ministry of ordained clergy alone and includes all the people of God in the mutual work of ministry.

Download the Mutual Ministry Handbook to learn how to create a Mutual Ministry Committee and see how it can work in your congregation or parish.

Summary Plan Description
ELCA Heath Benefits
ELCA-Primary Coverage

Effective January 1, 2011

For more information on ELCA Health Benefits for ELCA-primary members, a booklet is available for your information of the ELCA Board of Pensions website.

Health Care Tax Credit

Church employers may be eligible for a small business payroll tax credit of up to 25%. The 2010 IRS filing deadline was May 15, 2011. This credit is available through 2013, and for any two years after that and prior to 2016.

For information, forms, and other resources please visit the ELCA Board of Pensions webpage.

Annual Meeting Resources

Share This:


South Dakota Synod header background image