The New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The word "Synod" comes from Greek, meaning "walking together"
-- congregations and individuals walking together in faith to offer witness and service to Jesus Christ.
The New Jersey Synod is a geographical grouping of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations that share the mission and ministry of the Church on the New Jersey territory. It is one of 65 synods in the ELCA.
The NJ Synod is comprised of 190 congregations, which include almost 80,000 baptized members.
Who Leads the Synod?
 A Bishop, The Rev. E. Roy Riley, Jr., provides pastoral and administrative leadership.
The Synod Assembly, whose voting members include lay representatives from NJ congregations, clergy, associates in ministry, and deaconesses, is the Synod's highest legislative authority. Meeting annually, the Assembly elects the Synod Council, Bishop, and other officers, and voting members to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The Synod Constitution is updated annually and is included every year in the Bulletin of Reports for the NJ Synod Assembly. Every congregation receives multiple copies of the Bulletin of Reports.
The Synod Council appoints Mission Teams and recommends program goals and budgets, and carries out the resolutions of the Synod Assembly. It issues letters of call to ordained ministers and to associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers.
How is the Synod Funded?
The Synod relies primarily on annual mission support gifts from congregations.
What is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)?
 The ELCA was formed in 1987 by the merger of three Lutheran Church bodies -- the ALC (American Lutheran Church), the LCA (Lutheran Church in America), and the AELC (Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches).
More about the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
Where Can I Find Information About the Lutheran Faith?
You are welcome to worship at a local congregation and speak to the Pastor about classes and where to find more information. You can also check out the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) website for information about Lutheranism.
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