Documents & Resources | Central States Synod

2026 Compensation Guidelines	Compensation and benefit guidelines for Rostered Ministers, Pastors and Deacons. Approved during 2025 assembly.
2027 Compensation Guidelines	Compensation and benefit guidelines for Rostered Ministers, Pastors and Deacons. (Approved 2026)
2027 Compensation Worksheet	Compensation Guidelines worksheet.(Approved 2026)
Compensation Worksheet 2026	Compensation Guidelines worksheet for 2026
Portico	Portico Benefit Services
Portico Financial Resources	Summary of financial resources available from Portico

Congregations (Alphabetical)	Congregation directory, sorted alphabetically by name. (Rev July 2026)
Congregations (by Conference)	Congregation directory, sorted by conference and congregation name. (Rev July 2026
Pulpit Supply	Directory of leaders available for Pulpit Supply.

Central States Synod Congregations

5 Steps to Protecting Children	Simple approach to creating safer environments
Boundary Education Policy	Adopted 10/2024 by the Synod Council
Central States Synod Constitution	Current Constitution of the Central States Synod {Amended June 2026}
Church Property Resource Hub	A project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to support navigating the challenges and opportunities of buildings and land.
Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline	ELCA guidelines for discipline: Rostered Ministers, Congregations and Members
Gift Acceptance Policy	CSS policy for managing donations, bequests, & charitable gifts
IRS Requirements and Regulations	Link to the IRS form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification
Misconduct Policy	Synod Policy regarding sexual misconduct by rostered ministers
Model Constitution for Congregations	Sample Constitution for Congregations updated 2025
Political Campaign Activity	Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by 501(c)(3) organizations
Protection Guidelines for Youth and Vulnerable Adults	Policy guidelines to protect youth and vulnerable adults
So You need a Child and Vulnerable Adults Policy	Outline and guide for creating a child protection policy

Mission Support Quick Facts	One-page information sheet about CSS Mission Support
Stewardship Resources, ELCA	ELCA directory of Stewardship Resources
Stewardship of the ELCA	ELCA Stewardship home page
Stories of Faith In Action	ELCA Stewardship "Stories of Faith In Action"
Synod Quick Facts	Basic information and statistics about the synod
The Generosity Project	Initiative to help grow stewardship practices
Where Does My Offering Go
Where Does Your Offering Go (Video)
Where to Give	To ensure that donations are delivered most efficiently, please send contributions directly to these ministries

*ELCA Roster Manual	Manual of Policies and Procedures for Management of the Rosters of the ELCA adopted Nov. 12, 2022
*Transition Manual	Complete Transition Manual (revised November 2024)
03-04 When a pastor resigns or retires
06 certification of financial obligations
07 Certification of Church Records
08 Exit Interview for Pastor
09-10 Policy and Covenant for departing pastors
11-13 Policy and Covenant for retiring pastors
14 Letter to Congregation concerning covenant
15-17 Thanksgiving at the conclusion of a call
19 Interim Ministry
20 Liturgy of beginning for interim ministry
22-28 Theology of Call & Resolutions
30 Gifts for Ministry
32 Position Description
33 Summary & Range for Compensation
34-35 Rite for Installation of a Call Committee
36 Candidate Referral Form
37 Sample Cover Letter for Referral
38-41 Sample interview questions
42-43 Sample questions that may be asked by candidates
44 interview expense voucher
45 suggested text for candidates no longer being considered
46-49 Definition of Compensation Benefits and Responsibilities

12 Guidelines for Church Social Media	From MinistryTech.com
Communicating and Crisis Management	From the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Crisis Communication: Best Practices	ELCA's Crisis Communication Steps for Congregations
Crisis Communications Congregational Safety	ELCA Strategic Communications Best Practices
Pastor Your Church Needs a Social Media Policy	Guidelines for churches, members, leaders and staff
Social Media Planning: Best Practices	ELCA Social Media strategy, planning, and guidelines

ELCA Seminaries	Seminaries of the ELCA
Select Learning	DVD and Online Course catalog

Bible Study: Leaders' Guide	A Biblical Journey: Traveling the way of Jesus (leaders' guide)
Bible Study: Participants' Handout	A Biblical Journey: Traveling the way of Jesus (Participant handout)
Land Acknowledgement	Indigenous land acknowledgement guide

Annual Report to the Bishop	Annual Rostered Reports to be filed with the Bishop
Congregation Reports (Form A) [PDF]	Annual report to the ELCA for congregations and SAWCs (call 913-948-9701 for assistance)
Congregation Reports (Form A) [online]	Annual report to the ELCA for congregations and SAWCs (call 913-948-9701 for assistance)
PMA Annual Reports	Annual report form for Parish Ministry Associates

Remittance Form	Printable form for treasurers submitting mission support (Rev. March 2026)
Treasurer Resources	ELCA resources for council treasurers