About conference assemblies
Conference assemblies are held annually in February and lay the foundations for work at the synod assembly in May. Voting members from congregations in the six conferences, led by a dean, gather for a keynote address and then meet in individual conferences to conduct business, which includes the elections of synodical officers and committee members and, in alternate years, voting members to the churchwide assembly.
For the next three years, we’ll be using both conference and synod assemblies to explore Lutheran identity—according to Bishop Rogness, “an exploration of the riches and insights of this faith perspective that is ours. A gift to us and to the world. Read more
What happens at conference assemblies?
We are a participatory church, one that organizationally lives out what we believe about the “priesthood of all believers.” And we live in a democratic culture where people expect to be able to express their ideas and have a hand in shaping those issues that affect them. Decisions about how we want to be church together in this synod begin at the congregational annual meeting, continue with conference assemblies and the synod assembly, the highest governing authority for the synod, and move to the churchwide assembly, the final governing authority for the entire ELCA.
Educate members on how to participate in the wider church
If your congregation wants to have voice and influence and help shape mission in the wider church, the process exists for participation! Just as interest in civic matters varies among individuals, so, too, does interest in church matters. Many congregations have a system for identifying representatives for these assemblies; others struggle to find people and wait until the last minute. Please educate your members about how they can become involved!
Voting members for conference and synod assemblies
Voting members for the conference assemblies include pastors and rostered laypersons under call to congregations and two times as many lay voting members as the congregation is entitled to send to the synod assembly.* In addition, voting members include retired clergy elected at the retired clergy caucus and clergy and rostered laypersons serving under call to specialized ministry. Pre-registration for conference assemblies is not necessary.
*Each congregation is allotted lay voting members as follows, according to baptized membership: one voting member for congregations having fewer than 175 baptized members. Two voting members for congregations of 175-500 members, with an additional voting member for every 500 baptized members or major fraction thereof (i.e., 501-749 = 2 voting members; 750-1249 = 3 voting members; 1250-1749 = 4 voting members, etc.).
Conference Deans
South Conference: The Rev. Steve Schwartz, St. Mark’s, Randolph
Southeast Conference: The Rev. John Snider, St. Stephen’s, West St. Paul
South Central Conference: Brenda Olson, First, St. Paul
North Conference: The Rev. Laurie O’Shea, First, Rush City
North Central Conference: The Rev. Roberta Flood, Living Waters, Lino Lakes
East Central Conference: The Rev. John Stiles, Holy Cross, Oakdale
