Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary

The duties and responsibilities of the secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as specified in the governing documents of this church, are diverse and numerous (see Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 13.41., 13.41.01-13.42.02., and 11.33.). A brief summary, however, may be expressed in this way.

The Office of the Secretary shall:

  • Prepare records for this church in as accurate, thorough, up-to-date, useable, and prompt a way as possible;
  • Preserve the records of this church; and
  • Provide service and assistance to this church and others in a punctual, friendly, and courteous manner.

The Secretary shall:

13.41.01.

The secretary, as the recording officer of this church, shall keep the minutes, have responsibility for rosters, records, and reporting of parochial statistics, oversee the archives, attest to all documents that require such signature, be the custodian of the seal, and perform other duties as prescribed by the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

13.41.02.

The secretary shall:

  1. Be responsible for the minutes and records of the Churchwide Assembly, Church Council, Executive Committee, Conference of Bishops, and Cabinet of Executives, and shall receive complete minutes for permanent record of all boards and committees of the churchwide organization.
  2. Maintain the rosters of ordained ministers, all other rostered persons, congregations, and synods.
  3. Provide for the publication of official documents and policies of this church, pre-assembly reports, assembly minutes, a directory of congregations, rostered persons, and entities of this church, and other informational and statistical material.
  4. Receive the annual report of the congregations in a form devised by the secretary, summarize the information, and make the summary available to this church.
  5. Coordinate the use of legal services by the churchwide organization.
  6. Be responsible for the archives of this church.
  7. Implement and operate a records management system for the churchwide organization.
  8. Arrange for and manage meetings of the Churchwide Assembly and Church Council.
  9. Have custody of the seal, maintain a necrology, and attest documents.
  10. Provide library and reference services for the churchwide office.

13.41.03.

The secretary, in consultation with the presiding bishop, shall be responsible for preparation and research of amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as the Constitution for Synods and the Model Constitution for Congregations, to be proposed by the Church Council for action by the Churchwide Assembly in accordance with provisions of Chapter 22.

13.41.04.

The secretary shall prepare interpretations, as necessary, of the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. If a board, committee, or synod disagrees with the interpretations, as rendered, the objecting entity may appeal the secretary’s interpretation to the Church Council.

13.41.05.

The secretary shall provide staff services to the Nominating Committee of the Churchwide Assembly and the nomination process of the Church Council; shall be responsible for declaring an interim vacancy resulting from the resignation, death, or disability of a member of a board, committee, or council; and shall arrange for an election by the Church Council to fill the vacancy consistent with Chapter 19.

13.41.A03. Responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary The Office of the Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in collaboration with the treasurer of this church, shall provide and manage insurance (exclusive of life and health) programs for the churchwide organization and shall make available insurance programs to congregations, synods, regions, and related institutions, agencies, and organizations. Recommendations on standards for adequate, continuous insurance coverage to be maintained by synods, as required in constitutional provision 10.74., shall be provided.