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About the South Carolina Synod
In the South Carolina Synod, we seek to respond to God’s love by loving him and serving the people he has created. There are ministries for – and with – all ages, not only in the state of South Carolina, but in many parts of the globe.
The South Carolina Synod is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
People living within the synod territory
Baptized Lutherans in the South Carolina Synod
Congregations and worshipping communities
Companion partnerships with Lutheran Churches in Japan, Tanzania, and Colombia
Mission Statement
Equipping church leaders to develop impactful faith communities and disciples of Jesus.
Vision Statement
Every person in South Carolina experiences God’s love and grace.
Our Core Values:
Living Faith in Jesus as our Cornerstone (I Peter 2:4-6)
Fostering opportunities for partnership among leaders and communities of faith (Romans 15:5-7)
Walking together in sacred trust as siblings in Christ. (Luke 24:28-32)
Our Ministry Result Areas:
Rostered Ministers are growing in faith, equipped for their ministry contexts, and connected with colleagues.
Congregational/lay Leaders are trained for leading the church of today.
The Synod is actively collaborating with congregations to raise up new rostered leaders and lay leaders for the church.
Synod Council and Staff become more effective and impactful in their roles.
What we teach
As members of the ELCA we confess the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the we trust the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.
ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.
Scriptures, Creeds and Confessions
The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible); the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. ELCA congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with these teaching sources. This Confession of Faith is more than just words in an official document. Every Sunday in worship ELCA congregations hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught and come to the Lord’s Table expecting to receive the mercies that the Triune God promises. Throughout the week ELCA members continue to live by faith, serving others freely and generously in all that they do because they trust God’s promise in the Gospel. In small groups and at sick beds, in private devotions and in daily work, this faith saturates all of life.
Teaching for a life of faith
This connection to all of life is the clearest demonstration of the authority that the canonical Scriptures, the ecumenical Creeds and the Lutheran Confessions have in the ELCA. The Holy Spirit uses these witnesses to create, strengthen and sustain faith in Jesus Christ and the life we have in him. That life-giving work continues every day, as Martin Luther explained in the Small Catechism: the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”
Constitution, Directory, & Minutes
South Carolina Synod Constitution
As amended November 2023
Model Constitution for Congregations
The Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, like the other governing documents of this church, reflects the theology and polity of this church as it organizes itself to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, share the sacraments, reach out to the neighbor with good news and share the love of God in the world.
Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
As approved by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly
Guide for the Use of the Model Constitution for Congregations
Prepared by the Office of the Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America May 2017
Questions and Answers about the Model Constitution for Congregations
From the Constitution Committee of the South Carolina Synod
Assembly Minutes
From the 2023 Synod Assembly
Directory
In an effort to minimize the number of scam emails that get sent using the Bishop’s name we have had to make adjustments to our website related to Directory information. We want the Directory to be available to those of you across the Synod, but not to the whole public where people may be misusing contact information. We fully confess that we do not know if this will stop the email scams or even reduce them, but we are trying to be as helpful as we know to be and this seems like one avenue we can explore.
For the link and password, please contact the synod office.
Mission Partners
Get In Touch
This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Contact Information
ELCA South Carolina Synod
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone 803-765-0590
Fax 803-252-5558
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Related Organizations
James R. Crumley, Jr., Archives (ELCA Archives)
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
NovusWay (Lutheridge+Lutherock+Luther Springs+Lutheranch)
South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth
South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission
