The Synod Council shall be the board of directors of this synod and shall serve as its interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly. It may make decisions which are not in conflict with actions taken by the Synod Assembly or which are not precluded by provisions of this constitution or the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (SOS Constitution †S10.02.)

The functions of the Synod Council shall be to:

a. Exercise trusteeship responsibilities on behalf of this synod.

b. Recommend program goals and budgets to the regular meetings of the Synod
Assembly.

c. Carry out the resolutions of the Synod Assembly.

d. Provide for an annual review of the roster of ordained ministers and of other
official rosters, receive and act upon appropriate recommendations regarding
those persons whose status is subject to reconsideration and action under the
constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and
make a report to the Synod Assembly of the Synod Council’s actions in this
regard.

e. Issue letters of call to ordained ministers and letters of call to associates in
ministry, members of the Deaconess Community of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, and diaconal ministers as authorized by Chapter 7 of the
constitution and bylaws of the ELCA.

f. Fill vacancies until the next regular meeting of the Synod Assembly except as
may otherwise be provided in the constitution or bylaws of this synod, and
determine the fact of the incapacity of an officer of this synod.

g. Report its actions to the regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.

h. Perform such other functions as are set forth in the bylaws of this synod, or as
may be delegated to it by the Synod Assembly.

(SOS Constitution S10.03.)