Constitution

Preamble

1. For the maintenance of truth and order in the proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the advancement of the Kingdom of God, in accordance with the Word of God, the Evangelical and Reformed Synod is formed as a successor to the Evangelical and Reformed Church, formed by union of the Evangelical Synod of North America and the Reformed Church in the United States, and ordains this constitution to be its fundamental law and declares the same to have authority over all its members, ministers, congregations and judiciaries.

Part I – Name, Doctrine, and Worship

Name

2. The full name of this synod shall be ‘THE EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED SYNOD.’

Doctrine

3. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are recognized as the Word of God, and the ultimate rule of Christian Faith and Practice.

4. The doctrinal standards of the Evangelical and Reformed Synod are the Heidelberg Catechism, Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, the Augsburg Confession, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, and the Marburg Articles. They are accepted as an authentic interpretation of the essential truth as taught in Holy Scripture. Wherever these doctrinal standards differ, ministers, members, and congregations, in accordance with the liberty of conscience inherent in the Gospel are allowed to adhere to the interpretation of one of these confessions. However, in each case the final norm is the Word of God.

5. In its relations with other Christian denominations, the Evangelical and Reformed Synod shall constantly endeavour to promote the Spirit of unity in the bond of peace.

Worship

6. a. Congregations are allowed freedom of worship, within historical confines.
   b. The forms and order of worship set forth in the Book of Worship of the Evangelical and Reformed Church (1947), the Book of Common Prayer (1662/1928), and the Service Book and Hymnal (1958) shall be considered accepted norms until such time as the Synod adopts its own standardized liturgical text.
   c. The Lord’s Day and the festivals and seasons of the church year shall be observed with appropriate services in the House of God.
   d. Congregations of the Evangelical and Reformed Synod shall invariably include at least the following elements in their worship: a call to worship, a general confession, a song of praise, one or more readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, and a general prayer.
   e. Dignified vestiture shall be maintained in all public worship and the administration of the sacraments. The customary liturgical uses of the congregations in this Synod shall be maintained, the vestments appropriate to the historical tradition of each congregation being respected and upheld. The black gown or surplice may be worn with either a stole or academic hood and tippet. In historically Lutheran congregations the alb may be worn with a stole. The cope, cloak, or palást may also be worn where they are customary in the congregations of the Synod.

Sacraments

7. The sacraments of the Church, instituted by Christ, are Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

Rites

8. The rites of the Church are confirmation, ordination, consecration, matrimony, and burial; though these shall not be construed as sacraments.

Part II – Congregations and Members

9. A congregation of the Evangelical and Reformed Synod is a body of Christians accepting the standards of faith and doctrine accepted by this Synod and organized and governed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution thereof. A charge consists of one or more congregations constituting a pastorate.

10. a. Persons who desire to be organized as a congregation shall submit a petition to the officers of the Synod, to be reviewed and voted on by the Synod Assembly.
    b. If the Synod approves the petition, it shall superintend the organization of the congregation.
    c. A congregation, whether independent, or belonging to another denomination, upon petition to the Synod may be admitted into the Evangelical and Reformed Synod, provided said congregation complies with the requirements of the Synod.

Members

11. Baptized persons are members of the Church. Baptized members who are received into full communion with the Church through confirmation, profession of faith, or letter of transfer shall be communicant members. Baptized members who are not yet communicants may be enrolled as unconfirmed members. Unconfirmed members shall be instructed in the Christian way of life, the standards of the faith, and doctrine of the Church.

12. Members of the Church shall live sober, righteous, and upright lives, and shall labour diligently to bring others to Christ. They shall take an active part in the life and work of the Church. This shall include regular attendance at divine worship; devout use of the Holy Sacraments; diligent observance of private devotions; liberal financial and moral support towards the maintenance of the Church, and her benevolent undertakings; obedience to her established law and authorities, untiring zeal in bringing the unchurched under her influence, and a sincere endeavour to apply the teachings of Jesus to all human relationships. Parents shall provide adequate Christian training for their entire household.

13. Members guilty of misconduct, which brings reproach upon the Church, shall be disciplined in accordance with the rules of discipline, set forth by each congregation and by the Synod Assembly.

14. Communicant members in good and regular standing shall have the right to vote and voice in the congregation, and also the right to represent the congregation in the Consistory or Church Council, and other Judiciaries of the Church, subject to the constitution and the bylaws of the congregation.

15. Members who have permanently changed their residence shall be urged by pastors to obtain letters of transfer, and, as soon as possible, unite with another congregation.

Part III – Ministers and Teachers of Theology

16. There are three orders of Ministers of Word and Sacrament in this Church – bishops, pastors, and deacons. It shall be noted that these orders are distinct from the offices of lay elder and lay deacon, which are used in some but not all congregations.

17. Those who believe that they have been called to the ministry of this Church shall place themselves under the supervision of the Synod’s Committee on Church and Ministry, which shall evaluate their qualifications and character, approve a program of ministerial education, and oversee their preparation for the ministry. No man shall be ordained without either the two-third approval of the Synod, or the unanimous approval of the Committee on Church and Ministry, and the Synod Council.

18. a. A minister is a member of the Church, called by Christ to the ministry of the word and sacrament, having been duly called and ordained by prayer and the laying on of hands by the bishop in the context of the Lord’s Supper, that he might a) preach the gospel and b) baptize as a Deacon, and having been duly called to exercise pastoral oversight, he shall be ordained to a) preach the gospel, b) baptize, c) celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion, and d) perform the rites of the Church as a Pastor.

19. a. A suitably qualified pastor may, after election and consecration, serve as bishop of this Synod and shall ordain, as well as exercise the presidency of this Synod. No pastor shall be eligible to be elected bishop unless he has attained the age of 35 years, been ordained at least 10 years, and served at least half of his ordained ministry in a parish setting.
    b. A pastor who is elected to serve as a bishop of the Synod shall be consecrated by the laying on of hands by other bishops in the context of the Lord’s Supper.

20. A Bishop, Pastor, or Deacon who has been established as a member of the Synod shall have the following rights: of voice and vote in the Synod Assembly; of eligibility for any church office under such limitations as shall be provided for the respective offices. No minister previously ordained shall be received into ministry of the Synod unless he is actively engaged in some parochial ministry, professional chaplaincy, or other fit vocation as recognized by the Synod Assembly.

21. A minister shall devote his time and his talents to the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth, either in the pastorate, or in the general work of the Church, or in Christian work outside of the Church. He shall cooperate with the work of the Church at large and fulfil such duties as the Synod or General Convention may require of him. He shall avoid any unrelated avocation that would dissipate his efficiency as a minister.

22. A minister shall hold as “privileged communication” any confidence or information of a confessional nature given to him in the course of his pastoral offices, however no minister shall be compelled to withhold from legal authorities any information regarding a heinous crime, under the superstitious claim of a “confessional seal.”

23. A minister shall have the right to be a member of the Church Pension Fund should such be created.

Teachers of Theology

24. A teacher of theology is a minister who shall have been chosen to be a professor in a theological seminary of the Church.

25. He shall be chosen by the board or boards of a seminary in agreement with its charter, and his appointment shall be confirmed by the competent authority. He shall be inaugurated according to the form given in the Book of Worship.

Part IV – Of Commissioned Lay Workers, Lay Elders, and Lay Deacons

26. A commissioned worker is a member of the Church who is called, trained, and commissioned for the full-time service in the Church.

27. a. A lay (or congregational) Elder is a member of the Church who is chosen by the congregation and is set apart to this office.
    b. A lay elder shall assist and support the Pastor in the spiritual affairs of the Church. They shall conduct themselves in such a way as to be an example unto others. They shall watch faithfully over the spiritual interests of the congregation, maintain order in the House of God, aid in visiting the sick, and minister according to their ability to the edification and comfort of the members.

28. a. A lay (or congregational) Deacon is a member of the Church who is chosen by the congregation and set-apart to this office.
    b. A lay deacon shall aid in securing the funds necessary for the support of the Church in its various activities, foster the principles of stewardship, and dispense the charity of the Church.

Part V – Of Church Councils

29. Each congregation shall have a Consistory, Church Council, Session or other advisory council by some other name, hereafter referred to as the Consistory.

Consistory or Church Council

30. a. The Consistory shall be made of the pastor or pastors, lay elders, and the lay deacons. The Consistory shall function in accordance with the congregational Bylaws. A Joint Consistory shall be formed if two or more congregations are yoked or joined together, constituting a pastoral charge. The Consistory shall have oversight of the Congregation and all its organizations. In all cases, unless there be legal difficulties, it shall constitute the trustees of the Congregation. The Consistory or Joint Consistory shall annually elect delegates and alternates to represent the charge at the Synod Assembly, unless otherwise provided in the constitution of the congregation or charge.
    b. When it becomes necessary the Consistory may admonish those persons who are impenitent, who wilfully persist in evil doing, or neglect their duties as members, or it may erase their names from the membership roll.
    c. If the spiritual well-being of any member should seem to require it, the Consistory may encourage the member to transfer to another congregation that can more readily meet his or her needs.
    d. Congregations may also organize a Spiritual Council, composed of all active and previously serving lay Elders or council members in the congregation; to serve as an advisory or judicial body within the local congregation, according to the bylaws of said congregations.

Part VI – Denominational Governance

31. The Evangelical and Reformed Synod shall consist of ministers, lay members organized into congregations, ministeriums, and classes.

32. Officers, Boards, Councils, Commissions, and Committees shall be limited in action by the authority and power committed to it by the body that created them.

33. Officers, Boards, Council, Commissions, and Committees shall be amenable to the Synod, and all the departments or activities to the agencies that created them.

34. The Auxiliary Organisations shall conduct their activities in accord with the general policy and program of the Synod and shall report regularly concerning their work to the Synod.

The Synod Assembly

35. a. The Synod Assembly shall constitute the legislative body of the synod. The bishop is the President of the Synod Assembly. The Synod Assembly shall be composed of all the ministers of the synod, and one delegate from every congregation within the designated area of the synod, except that the churches constituting a charge may be represented by one lay delegate if they so desire. One-third of the accredited members shall constitute a quorum.
    b. If there be more than one minister in the Synod who has been consecrated a bishop, only the individual who has been elected to serve as the president of the Synod at that time shall exercise the function of a bishop, unless request is made by the president of the Synod for assistance in carrying out of specific duties.

Government of the Synod

36. The Synod Assembly shall have legislative functions. The President of the Synod shall exercise executive functions. The Judicial functions of the Synod shall be carried out by the Synod Spiritual Council.

37. The functions of the Synod Assembly shall be the issuance of instructions; the adoption of resolutions; the election of officers; the election or appointment of committees; the examination or the delegation of examination of candidates for the ministry; the examination of candidates to be set apart as commissioned workers for Kingdom Service; the admission and dismissal of ministers and congregations from the Synod. It shall have jurisdiction over ministers and congregations who are members of the Synod. Once the Synod is divided into Classes, the functions of examination or the delegation of examination of candidates for the ministry; the examination of candidates to be set apart as commissioned workers for Kingdom Service; the admission and dismissal of ministers and congregations from the Classis will fall to the Classis Assembly. The Synod Assembly and the Classis Assemblies shall each elect a Synod Council or Classis Council, composed of an equal number pastors and lay elders/consistory members.

38. The Synod Spiritual Council shall be composed of Pastors elected by the Synod Assembly, until such time as the Synod is divided into Classes. Once the Synod is divided into Classes, each Classis will elect its own Classis Spiritual Council, composed of Pastors elected by the Classis Assembly and the Synod Spiritual Assembly will be composed of all actively serving Classis Presidents.

39. a. The congregations of the Synod may be arranged into ministeriums, each with a president appointed by the Synod Assembly. Once a ministerium has grown to include 9 congregations the ministers thereof may petition the Synod Assembly for recognition as a Classis. The Synod Assembly may also recognize a ministerium or group of congregations as a Classis with less than 9 congregations if the Assembly determines such a need.
    b. Once a classis has been recognized by the Synod Assembly it may organize a Classis Assembly, following the same model and rules as the Synod Assembly, subordinate thereunto, and may petition the Synod Assembly for the consecration of its President as a bishop. If the individual elected to the office of Classis President does not meet the constitutional requirements for consecration as a bishop, they may hold the office of President, but episcopal functions will be carried out by the President of the Synod or his delegated representative.
    c. If the number of congregations in a classis fall to less than 5 the Synod Assembly shall have the authority to revoke its status as a classis, whereupon it will function as a ministerium again, the president thereof being appointed by the Synod Assembly.
    d. If the number of congregations in a classis should grow to exceed 36, the classis assembly may petition the Synod Assembly to divide the classis into 2 or 3 separate classes geographically.

40. The administration of the Synod, and likewise of each Classis, is committed to its Officers, Council, and such other agencies that it enacts. The Officers of the Synod shall be 1) the President who shall be ordained and consecrated a bishop, 2) Vice-President who shall be ordained and may be consecrated a bishop once he has met the requirements of that order, 3) Secretary, and 4) Treasurer. The manner of their election, their terms of office, and their rights and duties shall be determined in the Synod Assembly. Likewise, the officers of each classis shall be 1) the President who shall be ordained and consecrated a bishop, 2) Vice-President who shall be ordained and may be consecrated a bishop once he has met the requirements of that order, 3) Secretary, and 4) Treasurer. If the individual elected to the office of Classis President does not meet the constitutional requirements for consecration as a bishop, they may hold the office of President, but episcopal functions will be carried out by the President of the Synod or his delegated representative.

41. Discipline and judicial procedure shall be defined in the Synod Assembly and delegated to the Synod Spiritual Council. Once the Classes are established, the Classis will define its judicial procedure and delegated to the Classis Spiritual Council.

Part VII – Amendments to the Constitution

42. a. Proposed amendments to this Constitution of this Synod shall be submitted to the president of the Synod not less than thirty days before the appointed date for the next regular meeting of Synod Assembly.
    b. The person who transmits such proposed amendments to the president of the Synod shall also be responsible for transmitting the same to the Congregations of this Synod. Any amendment of the constitution shall require to a two-thirds vote of Synod Assembly, confirmed by a second two-thirds vote at the next regular Synod Assembly.
    c. No amendments or modifications shall be made to this constitution within 5 years of their adoption, without unanimous consent of the Synod Assembly.

Adoption

43. This constitution, having been adopted by the Synod Assembly on the Twenty-first day of March in the year of our Lord 2025, shall become effective immediately.