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.
Psalm 144
1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle,
2 my rock and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues the peoples under me.
3 O Lord, what are humans that you regard them,
or mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
their days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains so that they smoke.
6 Make the lightning flash and scatter them;
send out your arrows and rout them.
7 Stretch out your hand from on high;
set me free and rescue me from the mighty waters,
from the hand of foreigners,
8 whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hands are false.
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God;
upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10 the one who gives victory to kings,
who rescues his servant David.
11 Rescue me from the cruel sword,
and deliver me from the hand of aliens,
whose mouths speak lies,
and whose right hands are false.
12 May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars,
cut for the building of a palace.
13 May our barns be filled
with produce of every kind;
may our sheep increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields,
14 and may our cattle be heavy with young.
May there be no breach in the walls, no exile,
and no cry of distress in our streets.
15 Happy are the people to whom such blessings fall;
happy are the people whose God is the Lord.
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.