Welcome to the ELCA
We are a church that is deeply rooted in tradition and always being made new. We strive to be faithful to the gospel and to work toward more justice and wholeness in the world.
Amos 9:5-15
5 The Lord, God of hosts,
he who touches the earth and it melts,
and all who live in it mourn,
and all of it rises like the Nile
and sinks again, like the Nile of Egypt,
6 who builds his upper chambers in the heavens
and founds his vault upon the earth,
who calls for the waters of the sea
and pours them out upon the surface of the earth—
the Lord is his name.
7 Are you not like the Cushites to me,
O people of Israel? says the Lord.
Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt
and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?
8 The eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom,
and I will destroy it from the face of the earth
—except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,
says the Lord.
9 For I will command
and shake the house of Israel among all the nations,
as one shakes with a sieve
but no pebble shall fall to the ground.
10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword,
who say, “Evil shall not overtake or meet us.”
11 On that day I will raise up
the booth of David that is fallen
and repair its breaches
and raise up its ruins
and rebuild it as in the days of old,
12 in order that they may possess the remnant of Edom
and all the nations who are called by my name,
says the Lord who does this.
13 The time is surely coming, says the Lord,
when the one who plows shall catch up with the one who reaps
and the treader of grapes with the one who sows the seed;
the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
and all the hills shall flow with it.
14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,
and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,
and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 I will plant them upon their land,
and they shall never again be plucked up
out of the land that I have given them,
Features
Resource
All ELCA members are invited to share feedback on draft revisions to the social message “Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment,” by November 30.
Publication
Bishop Curry issues his fifth in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled "All together in one place."
Resource
Find inspiration and nonpartisan actions to support our neighbors as individuals and communities of faith in the ELCA Election Engagement Toolkit.
News
Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to devastating flooding in Nepal through trusted, long-standing partners in the area.
Event
Based on Ephesians 3:20, the triennial event will be in Minneapolis from June 28-July 2, with pre-events MYLE and the tAble on June 26-28.
Publication
Gwen Walz is first lady of Minnesota, a former public school administrator, a 2026 Special Olympics USA Games board member and a lifelong Lutheran.
Get Involved
June 26, 2027
Explore Deeper Into Our Church
The Rev. Yehiel Curry is the presiding bishop. Previously, he served as bishop of the ELCA Metro Chicago Synod. He has chaired the ELCA Conference of Bishops, fostering ecumenical relationships and theological engagement across the Lutheran communion. He and his wife, LaShonda, have three daughters.
We believe that all people are imperfect and are saved by God’s grace alone, through Christ. We believe that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God became one of us and took upon himself the sin and suffering of the world.
ELCA social statements are teaching and policy documents that provide broad frameworks to assist us in thinking about social issues in the context of faith and life. They are meant to help communities and individuals with moral formation, discernment and thoughtful engagement with current social issues.
Give Hope. Take Action. Share Faith.
Your gifts to the ELCA support and sustain the people, congregations, synods and ministries working around the world to realize the hope-filled future God promises.
Our “Exploring Church” website can guide you along your faith journey if you are beginning it or have basic questions.
Whether immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, or others marginalized by governmental decisions, you can support them with your voice.
Discover the many ways where the ELCA helps our youth and families grow in faith and build friendships that last lifetimes.
The ELCA works beyond the US. Our work touches the lives of people globally, caring for creations, ministering to those who seek God, and providing relief where it’s needed.
Explore & Stay Connected
Resources
Considering a vocation in the church or a vocation change? Learn more about ELCA seminaries and colleges along with our discernment tool and app, Journi, to start your leadership journey.
Planning worship for your congregation or group gathering? We offer resources to help you plan worship, including the common lectionary, church year reference points, and observances.
Looking for news releases, stories and newsletters? Our News and Stories section offers the latest ELCA news releases and links to newsletters, publications, blogs and videos.
FAQs
All people seek meaning. This can come in the form of knowledge, relationships, spirituality or organized religion. The ELCA is part of the Christian church. We believe God’s grace and unfathomable love are available to all people as a gift through Jesus Christ. All are welcome here with their whole selves, which include one’s race, ethnic background, past wrongdoing, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability and legal status. Questions and doubts are welcome.
Martin Luther, after whom the Lutheran branch of Christianity is named, wrote, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that you could stake your life on it one thousand times. … Through faith, a person will do good to everyone without coercion, willingly and happily; serving everyone, suffering everything for the love and praise of God, who has shown such grace.” Faith is about living in a trusting relationship with God in response to God’s grace.
People who identify as Lutherans are those who actively practice their faith in the Lutheran tradition or who have joined a Lutheran congregation through membership. Becoming a member is a way of expressing one’s long-term commitment to the life and work of the church. It also expresses a commitment of resources to sustain the work of the congregation, as well as the national and global church.
All types of people and families are welcome! You are welcome as you are! The ELCA teaches that it doesn’t matter what your experience with religion has been or what kind of doubts or questions you might have about faith. We strive to be a church that celebrates diversity and welcomes all people as they are to worship, learn, serve and grow in faith with others.
All are welcome here. We are a deeply rooted church that is always being made new. Our roots are in Scripture and a collection of writings called the Book of Concord, as well as in the rich histories of our congregations. We strive to be faithful to the gospel and to work toward more justice and wholeness in the world. We are equipped to live and serve in the world with all its complexities, tensions and ambiguities.