Resources for Churches

Send in your pledges as soon as you complete your budget (or before the end of February).  They are available in fillable PDFs in English and Spanish or as a google form.  Links below.

• 2022_English_Mission_Support_Statement_of_Intent_form_fillable
• 2022_Spanish_Mission_Support_Statement_of_Intent_form_fillable
• Google form
• Oregon Synod_Mission_Support_Impact -ELCA

Each year the Oregon Synod produces Care and Compensation guidelines for rostered ministers (pastors and deacons). These are designed to help you with conversations about compensation for the coming year. 

The Covenant of Care form is designed to help us all—pastors, deacons, congregations and synod staff—focus on mutual opportunities and support. Missional capacity and effectiveness are greatly increased as we commit to common goals in an environment of mutuality and intentional planning.

Please complete both portions and return a copy to the synod office. We would love to see how you are committing to following the Way of Christ in a mutual, caring way! 

To make the care and compensation materials more user-friendly, this year we are offering the minister’s compensation worksheet in either a fillable PDF or Excel worksheet.

Curious about the difference between pastors and deacons? Click here

Pulpit supply page

• 2021 Annual Report cover
• 2021 Annual Report cover spread
• Bishop Laurie’s 2022 Annual Letter

For use by rostered leaders and church staff.  Login credentials are emailed individually by CRTN.  Login page.

Parochial reports can be filled out and submitted online directly to ELCA Churchwide offices, or printed, filled out and mailed to:

The Oregon Synod Transition Manual 2021 is designed to help congregations move into God’s future for them and provide the necessary steps and resources for the intentional transition work as well as the call process. The office of the bishop and the congregation will work closely together toward the goal of clarifying the missional direction and finding the right pastor, deacon, or synod authorized lay minister who can participate with you in the mission to which the Spirit is calling you. 

• 2021 Updating_Congregational_Constitution
• OR Constitution – Jan 2021
• ELCA model constitutions

Council officers job descriptions

Treasurer’s handbook – ELCA

• Tracking Attendance Resource
• Electronic meetings

• Congregation Member Resources for Giving

Retiring in the Oregon Synod

Separation Ethics in the Oregon Synod

Music copyright is something we have to think about more now that we are doing more online services and events. There is no permission needed and no fee needs to be paid in order to sing in church. But copyright issues can arise when churches reproduce song lyrics or record their services. Uses beyond the actual performance in worship require further licensing (including podcast, streaming, live viewing on YouTube or your website, etc). We have a created a guide to help your church think through music copyright issues.

2021 Music Copyright Information

The church should be a safe place where people can worship, learn, work, love and receive care in a manner that is free from sexual misconduct. Any sexual misconduct committed by a rostered church minister should be reported to the synod. Click here for more.