Welcome to the Oregon Synod, ELCA

What is a synod?
The word synod means "walking together." Our churches and baptized members are walking together with Christ to serve our families, our communities and our world.

The Oregon Synod is one of the 65 geographical subdivisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a large mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. It serves ELCA members in all of Oregon and one congregation in northern California.

It is a group of 118 congregations and 6 emerging worshipping communities that work together to share more effectively the Good News of Jesus Christ with their communities, welcoming all to share in the fellowship of God's people.

Its purpose is to provide services to the congregations and approximately 45,000 baptized members on its territory, providing resources, encouraging them in all facets of ministry, and advocating at the state and local levels for justice for all people.

In addition, the synod supports numerous other ministries in its territory. (return to top)

 

Our History?

The Oregon Synod came into being on January 1, 1988, at the same time that its parent denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was created from the merger of three Lutheran bodies; the Association of Evangelical Church (AELC), the American Lutheran Church (ALC), and the America Lutheran Church (ALC).  Upon this merger the ELCA was organized into 65 synods and 9 regions. 

The Oregon Synod's planning group (transition team) set out to make the synod functional by January 1, 1988.  The Constituting Convention was set for June 12-14, 1987 at George Fox College in Newberg, Oregon to enable the new Oregon Synod to begin its ministry.  During the Convention the Oregon Synod elected its first bishop, officers, a council and committees.  Along with the elections some items on the agenda included; adopting documents that implemented the establishment of the synod, adopting a constitution, bylaws and a budget.

We are Lutherans.We are part of the ELCA.The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a thriving mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. We are one of 65 ELCA synods (or geographical subdivisions) throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. (return to top)

Where Are We?

Our synod covers all of Oregon and the northern tip of California. Check out our cluster page to see how our synod is divided into groups of churches called clusters.