2025 Synod Assembly Voting Member Allocations
Voting for Lay Congregation Members
Baptized membership totals are reported to the ELCA through each congregation's year-end congregational report as of 12/31/2023. This is the basis for determining the number of lay voting members selected to attend the assembly. The "baptized membership" formula consists of the top 10% of our 137 congregations receiving four lay voting members, the next top 10% of our congregations receiving three lay voting members, and the remainder of our congregations receiving two lay voting members. See the charts below for which congregations are allowed three or four voting members.
Congregation voting members are asked to be equally divided among genders and from different households. Also, each congregation may register one additional voting member who is a youth (confirmed and under 18) or young adult (under 30).
Voting for Rostered Ministers
Pastors (ministers of Word and Sacrament) under call, deacons (ministers of Word and Service) under call, and interim ministers are expected to attend all synod assemblies as voting members. All other rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) who register for the assembly are also considered voting members, including those who are retired, on leave from call, and those with disability status.
Synod Authorized Ministers are expected to attend as a lay voting member from the congregation they are serving. This is in addition to the two allowed lay voting members, plus a youth or young adult.
Congregations allowed FOUR voting members, plus one additional youth or young adult:
Congregations allowed THREE voting members, plus one additional youth or young adult:
All other congregations are allowed TWO voting members, plus one additional youth or young adult.
