African Descent
Many Voices, Tell the Story, Create the Vision: Build our Future
The African American, African Caribbean, and African National communities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are gifted and culturally diverse. The diverse group in North America and the Caribbean is referred to as “people of African Descent” or “the Black people.” People of African descent represent 13 percent of the total population of the United States of America. Currently within the ELCA there are 54,189 members of African descent. This represents one percent of the ELCA’s total membership. The ELCA has 252 congregation with at least 25% African descent membership. At present, there are about 242 African descent pastors and 83 African descent leaders preparing themselves for the ministry.
The Vision
People of African descent in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are Christ-centered communities in ministry, sharing gifts, empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the power, love, and presence of Jesus Christ. The vision call us to live out God's call in and through:
- Visionary pastoral leadership
- Worship
- Witness
- Discipleship
- Stewardship
- Family Ministries
- Social justice
- Unity and diversity
These areas of ministry work together in an integrated, holistic approach to our call of building the body of Jesus Christ in mission. Also affirming the gifts and leadership of African descent people across the United States and the Caribbean.