In July 2019, in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of women, the bishops of Region 9 developed the “Region 9 Bishops’ Relational Agreement for boundaries, candidacy, and call process.”

The introductory paragraph of that document states:

Committed to always reforming for the health of leaders, vitality of congregations, and the flourishing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we agree to work together as a region to address systemic issues facing rostered ministers who are women. Together, we will work to create a culture change in our region through deepening trust and relationship—creating authentic avenues for reporting, responding, education, advocacy, and care.

Region 9 has been working together to provide boundary education for these six years. Beginning in the fall of 2025, each synod will take the lead in how and when it leads boundary training. Synods may work together in that leading, training, and implementation, but given our large geography, cultural differences, language needs, and staff realities, we are moving to this model.

Every active rostered minister, candidate for rostered ministry, synod authorized minister or lay preacher is required to be current on their annual boundaries education in order to activate an RMP, transfer into another synod of Region 9, be available for any call or appointment, including interim work (supply, bridge, etc.), or serve as a synod-recommended supply preacher.

Region 9 of the ELCA is comprised of six synods: the Virginia Synod, the North Carolina Synod, the Southeastern Synod (Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi), the South Carolina Synod, the Florida-Bahamas Synod, and the Caribbean Synod (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).