Innovation for Church Leaders

The Innovation Lab is a space for leaders across the ELCA to explore new ways of experiencing community, justice and love. Church systems and processes can sometimes feel clunky or stuck, but the Innovation Lab provides tools, resources and collaborative workshops to help leaders imagine what’s possible. We believe the best solutions emerge when those most impacted by a challenge are part of creating the response. Together, we can innovate with empathy, design with equity and listen closely to where the Holy Spirit is calling us next.

One approach we use is design thinking, a process that begins by understanding lived experiences before rushing to solutions. This method helps communities uncover fresh, human-centered ways to live into their mission and pursue their deepest hopes. Whether you’re testing an idea, at an impasse on a project or eager to share a story of innovation from your ministry, the Innovation Lab is here to accompany you. By connecting leaders with resources and with one another, we strengthen the church’s ability to adapt, grow and faithfully serve in a changing world.