Agenda and Acts of Synod

Each year, by synodical mandate, copies of the Agenda and Acts of Synod are distributed to the churches and pastors free of charge.  Though synod has set the number of copies sent to each church as “not less than four” (Acts of Synod 1986, p. 681-682), in recent years the Office of General Secretary has sent copies to each congregation based on the number of copies requested as part of that church’s annual Yearbook survey.  

Due to continued rising costs of publishing and shipping these materials, the denominational offices have been reviewing ways to be good stewards of our financial resources, time, and materials. At the same time, new technologies have made synodical materials more readily accessible in digital form than ever before. At its most recent meeting in February, the Council of Delegates determined that the Office of General Secretary will cease distribution of print copies of the Agenda and Acts of Synod. Print copies of each will be made available to churches who request one by March 28. Following the deadline, copies can be purchased through Faith Alive. To request a copy, please fill out this form.

Because these materials were already offered to the churches this year, the Office of General Secretary is notifying councils and pastors that we will honor these requests. We are asking for confirmation that they do indeed want a printed copy by filling out this form.  

We believe that this approach still fulfills the synodical mandate to “supply each church with a number of copies of the Agenda and Acts of Synod,” although not in a way that could have been envisioned by Synod 1986.

As materials for synod become available, they will be posted on the Synod Resources webpage. The full agenda will be posted in a PDF document once the formatting has been completed.