Southwest California Synod

Who We Are and What We Believe

What is a Synod?

The word “synod” comes from the Greek words for “walking together.” While the heart of ministry takes place in the congregation, and the national denomination provides global ministry and national organizations and structure, the synod bears the responsibility for the oversight of the mission of the church in this territory. According to our constitution, the synod shall 1) provide for pastoral care of congregations and rostered ministers in the synod, 2) plan for,facilitate, and nurture the mission of this church through congregations, 3) strengthen interdependentrelationships among congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization, and 4) foster relationships with agencies and institutions affiliated with or related to this church as well as ecumenical partners.

In the best expression of a synod, congregations experience support, inspiration and basic care around call processes, constitutional compliance and building bridges between congregations. We are church together!

The Office of the Bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA is located on the traditional territory of the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people. The SWCA Synod rests on the traditional territory of over 11 different indigenous people. Here is one resource you can use to find out more information about the traditional keepers of the land on which you live, work or travel.

The Southwest California Synod is a Reconciling In Christ Synod, making a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. For information about becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation or organization, please contact the Region 2 RIC Coordinator or the RIC office.
We are also a Lutheran Restoring Creation Synod. Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, cultivating a community of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God’s promise of hope and healing for all.
We are also a Jubilee USA Network Synod. There are over 650 national and local faith groups that work with Jubilee USA to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. Congregations and faith communities are a critical moral champions on economic policies that impact our lives. Jubilee faith communities play a pivotal role in winning debt, tax, trade and transparency policies that protect vulnerable people and economies.