The word synod comes from a Greek word meaning “to travel a common road; to walk together.” Walking together as we follow Jesus is important as we live out our vision that we can be a whoever church that by grace can grow everywhere.

The Church is a people called by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God’s creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world. The Church proclaims God’s saving Gospel. The Church nurtures its members in the word of god so they can grow in faith, hope, and love, see daily life as the place to live their Christian calling, and use the gifts of the Spirit for their life together.

In order to accomplish its mission, our Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is expressed in three dimensions:

• The people are gathered together in congregations under the care of pastors and other leaders.
• Congregations are gathered together in synods in geographical areas under the care of a bishop and his/her staff.
• 65 Synods are gathered together as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, under the care of a presiding bishop and the churchwide divisions, offices, committees, and organizations.

The synod empowers and serves congregations and their members. The synod’s committees and task forces serve to equip those ministries in congregations and to advocate, educate, and serve on behalf of congregations in the synod’s territory.