Who We Are

What is a Synod?

The word “synod” comes from the Greek words for “walking together.” While the heart of ministry takes place in the congregation, and the national denomination provides global ministry and national organizations and structure, the synod bears the responsibility for the oversight of the mission of the church in this territory. According to our constitution, the synod shall 1) provide for pastoral care of congregations and rostered ministers in the synod, 2) plan for, facilitate, and nurture the mission of this church through congregations, 3) strengthen interdependentrelationships among congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization, and 4) foster relationships with agencies and institutions affiliated with or related to this church as well as ecumenical partners.

In the best expression of a synod, congregations experience support, inspiration and basic care around call processes, constitutional compliance and building bridges between congregations. We are church together!

The Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA) is the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and West Texas, walking alongside congregations and leaders through worship life, shared ministry, and synod-wide support and resources. The synod is currently made up of 153 congregations serving communities across this five-state territory.

The Synod is divided into ten different conferences

More than 150 congregations and worshipping communities in ten conferences comprise the Rocky Mountain Synod. The ten conferences are:

Utah
Wyoming
North Colorado
Boulder-Broomfield
Metro West
Metro East
Metro South
Southeast Colorado
North New Mexico
Border.

We Are a Part of Region 2 Territory

We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. In the ELCA, our 65 synods are grouped into nine regions, which are points of connection for us and the churchwide organization. The Rocky Mountain Synod is one of five synods in Region 2. Together, we collaborate in the areas of First Call Theological Education, Mobility, Campus Ministry, and a Word & Service (Deacon) Network.

Four bishops have served the Rocky Mountain Synod

The Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, Ph.D (2024–present)

The Rev. James (Jim) Gonia (2012–2024)

The Rev. Allan Bjornberg (1993–2012)

The Rev. Wayne Weissenbuehler (1988–1993)

Since the Rocky Mountain Synod’s formation in 1988, the synod has been served by four bishops: Rev. Wayne Weissenbuehler was elected as the first bishop at the synod’s beginning and served five years (1988–1993), leaving when he was called to serve as senior pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village; Rev. Allan Bjornberg was elected in a special election on November 13, 1993, and served three terms (1993–2012); Rev. James (Jim) W. Gonia was elected on April 28, 2012, installed September 23, 2012, and served as bishop from 2012 until his retirement on July 31, 2024; and the current bishop, Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, was elected on April 27, 2024, and began serving August 1, 2024 (she is the synod’s fourth bishop.