The Role of Associations in the ELCA Structure

The African Descent Lutheran Association is one of six ethnic associations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Associations relate to this church through the Ethnic Specific/Multicultural Ministries Team located in the Congregational and Synodical Mission Program Unit. A staff member of the Ethnic Specific/Multicultural Ministries Team is assigned to an association as an advisor.

Associations are comprised of lay members and members of the ELCA roster. Each association has a constitution and by-laws approved by its membership. Membership and structure are described in the governing documents of each organization.

By developing their own agenda associations are grass roots organizations with programming (e.g. a biennial assembly) that edifies their respective ethnic community and assists the ELCA in becoming a multicultural and anti racist church.

Rev. Dr. Sherman Hicks
Director for Ethnic Specific/Multicultural Ministries
Congregational Synodical Missions Unit
ELCA

The Associations

• The African Descent Lutheran Association 
  African Descent Ministries and African National Ministry
• The American Indian and Alaskan Native Association 
  American Indian and Alaskan Native Ministries
• The Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage 
  Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries
• The Asian and Pacific Islander Association 
  Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries
• The Latino Association 
  Latino Ministries
• The European American Lutheran Association