Have you ever wondered what it actually means to be an ELCA congregation? Why does our denominational affiliation matter?

One of Paul’s most well known illustrations of the Church is that it has one body with many members.

We are members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, in the Metro Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

As an ELCA congregation, we are a part of the larger church’s “Three Expressions, One Church” model, with the three expressions being: Congregation, Synod, and Churchwide Organization.

This weekend the Metro Chicago Synod will gather to do the important work of all three expressions for the good of the whole Church. Rostered leaders, voting lay members, guests, ecumenical partners, vendors, and churchwide representatives will all be present as we support the work of the larger church.

This work includes what you’d expect at an annual meeting—committee reports, financial conversations, resolutions, amendments. It also includes some of the unexpected—guest speakers who invite us into new and expanded ways of thinking, celebrations of ordination milestones (including our own beloved Pr. Bob Hereth!!!), highlights of ministry around the synod, and of course joyous worship services.

At our 2025 Synod Assembly, we re-elected Bp Yehiel Curry for a 2nd term as our synod bishop. Less than 2 months later, he was elected as the Presiding Bishop for the ELCA and subsequently stepped down from his synodical role, with Bp Wayne Miller serving as the interim bishop. On Friday and Saturday, we will take the time to identify and elect a new bishop for our Metro Chicago Synod.

The ELCA does things a little differently when it comes to electing a bishop by practicing an ecclesiastical ballot procedure. Before the first round of voting, any voting member can submit any rostered leader’s name for consideration—whether they reside in this synod or not. At that point, people can ask to have their names removed from the process and not move forward. Anyone still on the ballot is eligible in the next round, with each subsequent round of voting whittling down the list of eligible candidates until one person has a certain percentage of the vote and is elected!

The Holy Spirit works in wild and wondrous ways to lift up her leaders, and your prayers for the Spirit’s work are greatly appreciated! Please pray for safe travels for everyone heading out to St. Charles, for a safe and comfortable weekend, and that the Spirit will work in the hearts and minds of all who are voting.

Please pray as we gather to celebrate our three expressions, one church. For we are many parts, one body.