Mission

Our Vision: To see flourishing Christian communities where Jesus’ story is embodied.

In all the ways we strive to live our mission, we are committed to being guided by the following values:

• Centering in Christ – Believing that Christ dwells in us, we will therefore demonstrate the compassion and openness that helps us to love God and love our neighbors.

• Discipleship – Believing that we are to embrace and assist in spreading the story of Jesus, we will therefore nurture formation and growth through our confessional practices and servant leadership.

• Faith – Believing that God made and loves the world, and redeems it in Christ, we will therefore rest in grace and work in hope.

The churchwide expression includes the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Church Council, officers, offices and churchwide units. Churchwide staff work from the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Ill., and from locations around the globe.

Sixty-five synods throughout the country unite the work of congregations within their areas, serving as regional support and guiding pastoral and other staff candidates through the call process.

More than 9,300 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are local communities of faith-filled people celebrating, learning and connecting through weekly worship and various ways to serve others.

Our three expressions, together with affiliated agencies and institutions, are all part of the ELCA. And because of our connections with worldwide Lutheran, ecumenical and interfaith partners, the ELCA is an active participant in the global community.

Where We Fit into the Bigger Picture

We are a synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

We are gifted with three interdependent ways of being Christ’s Church for the life of the world. Each of our ELCA expressions is fully the Church. No one expression is the Church alone.