[vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”Where can I find the Synod’s compensation guidelines for rostered leaders?” el_id=”1448391351283-43faba97-4f26″]The “2013 Compensation and Benefits Workbook” is available by selecting “For Leaders” or “For Congregations” in the sections under Documents and Forms. Additional information “in Documents and Forms” is such as Performance Reviews and Supply Pastor Reimbursement forms[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”We need a Supply Pastor who can we call?” el_id=”1448391394110-52db843e-24f2″]A current list of those available for supply is available under Documents and Forms “For Leaders” and “For Congregations” sections. Be sure to refer to the supply pastor reimbursement guidelines available in the same section.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”Is there a list of congregations with pastoral vacancies?” el_id=”1448391934913-5d6ae434-fd69″]All information related to the call process is now being coordinated through the ELCA’s Mobility Database System. Rostered leaders looking for a call must create accounts in the system in order to participate in the call process. A list of current vacancies is available under Documents & Forms.  Please contact the Synod Office for more information.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”I’m interested in becoming a rostered leader in the ELCA what do I need to do?” el_id=”1448392023263-e9d8ea5a-5fef”]The process to become an ordained minister, diaconal minister, deaconess or associate in ministry is called Candidacy. The candidacy process is coordinated by the synod of which your home congregation is a member. The ELCA’s website has extensive information, including an application form (which must be submitted online). Please contact Synod Office for more information.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”How do I find/contact a congregation or a rostered leader?” el_id=”1448392056148-3957895e-22d5″]To find a listing of all congregations “including contact information and web addresses” click here. The list will appear with links to more detailed information (i.e. the names of all associated rostered leaders). If you are looking for contact information for a specific person, select “Find a Person” which will allow you to search the ELCA’s complete database of rostered leaders.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”What is mission support?” el_id=”1448392524985-23ce59cb-7cdb”]Mission Support is the portion of your weekly financial offering that your congregation shares with your synod and the churchwide organization. As members of the ELCA, we do mission together through our financial giving. We do God’s work in ways that no individual, congregation or synod can do alone.  For more information about Mission Support, click here.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”How do I get in touch with a synod staff person?” el_id=”1448392629810-7b5b8156-20ff”]You are always more than welcome to call the Synod Office at 818-507-9591 and we will be happy to put you in touch with the best person to assist you. Or, you are welcome to visit the Staff page and click the link to email who you would like to contact.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”What social statements has the ELCA has adopted?” el_id=”1448392669586-9c72ec30-3ae6″]ELCA social statements are teaching documents that assist members in their thinking about social issues. They are meant to aid in communal and individual moral formation and deliberation. Social statements also set policy for this church and guide its advocacy and work in the public arena. They result from an extensive process of participation and deliberation and are adopted by a two-thirds vote of a Churchwide Assembly. The development and adoption of social statements are guided by the document “Policies and Procedures of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for Addressing Social Concerns,” adopted by the 1997 Churchwide Assembly and revised by the Church Council periodically. The ELCA has adopted social statements on the following:

Abortion
Church in Society
Death Penalty
Economic Life
Education
Environment
Genetics
Health and Healthcare
Peace
Race, Ethnicity and Culture
Sexuality
For more information on the social statements including versions in Spanish, click here. Also note that the ELCA has social messages. Social messages of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are built on its social policy (including social statements), draw attention to certain priority concerns that arise from this church’s mission in the world, and encourage discussion and action. They address the contemporary situation in light of the prophetic and compassionate traditions of the Bible. They are adopted by the ELCA Church Council and express the convictions of the leaders of this church. Since 1988, the ELCA has adopted twelve messages:
AIDS
Changing Europe
Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Community Violence
End of Life Decisions
Homelessness
Immigration
Israeli/Palestine Conflict
Mental Illness
People Living with Disabilities
Sexuality
Suicide Prevention
Terrorism
For more information on the social messages including versions in Spanish, click here.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”A disaster has recently happened. What can I do to help?” el_id=”1448392755548-a896e3a5-9b8c”]Look to Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). The Lutheran Disaster Response has a long history of responding to disasters. Its work encompasses the disaster response work of the ELCA in both the United States and internationally. In both arenas there has been a long commitment to working with local communities in a way that allows them to develop their own response. For more information including how you can donate to help, click here.[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row]