HOW MANY VOTING MEMBERS? 

Synodically authorized worshiping communities may elect one lay voting member to the Synod Assembly, according to our constitution (S7.26.C23).

For congregations, the voting members of the assembly are determined as follows. The first number is congregation size (baptized members), the second number is voting members.

  • Fewer than 175 in congregation = 2 Lay Members

  • 176 to 399 = 3 Lay Members

  • 400 to 649 = 4 Lay Members

  • 650 to 1,299 = 5 Lay Members

  • 1,300 to 1,849 = 6 Lay Members

  • 1,950 to 2,599 = 7 Lay Members

  • 2,600 to 3,249 = 8 Lay Members

  • 3,250 to 3,899 = 9 Lay Members

  • 3,900 to 4,550 = 10 Lay Members

Note: Lay voting members should be split 50/50 male and female.

Additional voting members

We also ask you to keep in mind the continuing resolution adopted by the Synod Council in September, 2024: 

S7.21.B23. In addition to the laity voting members elected in accordance with S7.21.A23: 

a. Congregations may elect one additional lay voting member who is a person of color or person whose primary language is other than English. 

b. Congregations may elect one additional lay voting member who is a youth (confirmed to age 17) or young adult (age 18 to 30, see †S6.04.01.). In all cases, a congregation should strive to elect an equal number of male and female voting members, or as close as possible.   

WHO ARE VOTING MEMBERS ACROSS THE SYNOD?

  • All active Ministers of Word and Sacrament (pastors) and Ministers of Word and Service (deacons) on the roster of the Grand Canyon Synod are voting members. 

  • Synod Council members and Officers of the Grand Canyon Synod are voting members. 

  • All retired Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministers of Word and Service on the roster of the Grand Canyon Synod are voting members, subject to the Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions that refer to their participation:

    • S7.22. This synod may establish processes that permit retired rostered ministers, or those designated as disabled, or on leave from call, on the roster of the synod to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with †S7.21.c. If the synod does not establish processes to permit the rostered ministers specified above to serve as voting members, they shall have voice but not vote in the meetings of the Synod Assembly.

    • S7.22.01. If 10% of the retired ministers of Word and Sacrament on the roster of this synod, or fewer, register for the Synod Assembly, they shall automatically be credentialed as voting members. In the event that more than 10% of the retired ministers of Word and Sacrament on the roster of this synod register for the Synod Assembly, they shall elect voting members from among their number, not to exceed 10% of the total number of retired ministers on the roster of the synod. Laity must always constitute at least 60% of the voting members, consistent with +S7.21.

    • S7.22.02. Voting rights at Synod Assembly shall be granted to any retired ministers of Word and Sacrament who is serving under contract as interim pastor in a congregation, or who is appointed to special service by the bishop of the synod and approved by the Synod Council, or who may be a pastor of the congregation he or she serves and approved by the bishop to substitute for the pastor of the congregation as a Synod Assembly member. Such retired ordained ministers shall not be counted among the 10 percent specified by bylaw S7.22.01.