About Us

Our Faith In Action

Every day, in a million ways, members of the ELCA are making the world a better place. In far reaches of the globe, and right here in our neighborhood, you’ll see that Lutherans aren’t folks who simply talk about their beliefs. We put them into action.

So make a meal to share. Have your opinion on government policy heard. Help a friend through their time of need. Here you’ll find stories that inspire and opportunities to get involved. Find out just how rewarding God’s work can be.

History

Over the years, different Lutheran church bodies have been established and organized to meet the needs of Lutherans in communities and nations all over the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran group in North America, founded in 1988 when three North American Lutheran church bodies united: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America. Learn more about the History of the ELCA.

Lutherans are part of a reforming movement within the whole Christian church; as a part of practicing their faith, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its predecessors have engaged in ecumenical dialogue with other church bodies for decades. In fact, the ELCA has entered into cooperative "full communion" agreements (sharing common convictions about theology, mission and worship) with several other Protestant denominations, including:

the Moravian Church
The Episcopal Church
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
the Reformed Church in America
the United Church of Christ
The ELCA has an ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, and in 1999, representatives of the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. This represented a historic consensus on key issues of faith and called for further dialogue and study together.

To learn more about these ecumenical relationships, visit Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.

Lutheranism is a faith tradition that is open to all, regardless of background. The ELCA alone is almost five million members strong, with nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We welcome you to learn more about our church and find out how we can help you along life’s path.

Disaster Response

The late winter and spring have been a busy period for emergency managers and disaster response groups. Heavy rains have resulted in widespread flooding across the United States and tornadoes have ravaged towns and displaced people from their homes, particularly in Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma. Lutheran Disaster Response is in communication with local clergy and community leaders to evaluate damage left behind by the severe storms.

Service Opportunities

Volunteer Locally
Become more active in your own congregation and community, and make a meaningful difference. Find out more about local opportunities.

Volunteer Nationally
Help build a new ELCA congregation or ministry in an underserved neighborhood, or help provide disaster relief – there are hundreds of opportunities across the country. Learn more.

Work Around the World
Through ELCA Global Mission, you can search a database of paid and volunteer mission opportunities all over the world for periods of one month up to several years. Learn more.

Social Ministry Organizations

The ELCA, along with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and 300 health and human service organizations, participate in an alliance known as Lutheran Services in America (LSA). LSA serves more than six million people each year -- 1 out of 50 people in 3,000 communities in the United States and the Caribbean.

For an updated list of the social ministry organizations the ELCA works with, along with more information about the communities they serve, visit the Lutheran Services in America on the Web.

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

Our mission is to love God and bring people into a growing relationship with Jesus and His church.