Who We Are and What We Believe
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 Office of the Bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA is located on the traditional territory of the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people. The SWCA Synod rests on the traditional territory of over 11 different indigenous people. Here is one resource you can use to find out more information about the traditional keepers of the land on which you live, work or travel.
The Southwest California Synod is a Reconciling In Christ Synod, making a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. For information about becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation or organization, please contact the Region 2 RIC Coordinator or the RIC office.
We are also a Lutheran Restoring Creation Synod. Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, cultivating a community of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God’s promise of hope and healing for all.
We are also a Jubilee USA Network Synod. There are over 650 national and local faith groups that work with Jubilee USA to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. Congregations and faith communities are a critical moral champions on economic policies that impact our lives. Jubilee faith communities play a pivotal role in winning debt, tax, trade and transparency policies that protect vulnerable people and economies.
The Synod is divided into nine different conferences
More than 100 congregations and worshipping communities in nine conferences comprise the Southwest California Synod. The nine conferences are:
- Channel Islands
- Foothill
- LA Metropolitan
- South Bay
- Twin Valleys
- Central Coast
- Greater Long Beach
- San Gabriel Valley
The Southwest California Synod serves the counties or portions of these counties:
- Kern
- Los Angeles
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Barbara
- Ventura
Six bishops have served the Southwest California Synod
The Rev. Brenda Bos
About the Bishop
The Rev. Murray Fink (Interim)
About the Bishop
The Rev. Guy Erwin, Ph.D
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The Rev. Dean W. Nelson
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The Rev. Roger Anderson
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The Rev. Paul Egertson
ButtonThe two companion synods of the Southwest California Synod
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hong Kong (ELCHK)
S'nodo Luterano Salvadore (Lutheran Salvadorian Synod)
Useful Links
Contact Us
Southwest California Synod, ELCA
Lutheran Center
1300 E. Colorado Street
Glendale, California 91205
(818) 507-9591
The Southwest California Synod is a Reconciling In Christ Synod, making a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. For information about becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation or organization, please contact the Region 2 RIC Coordinator or the RIC office.