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× Lutheran Disaster ResponseYou can help today!Your gifts make it possible for this church to provide fast and effective support to communities in need, whenever and wherever a disaster may strike.GIVEAbout the ELCA Faith Find a Congregation Resources News Our Work Give ELCA.org Living Lutheran Churchwide Assembly Youth Gathering ELCA Directory Facebook YouTube Instagram Call Process Find A Congregation Give Give Now Give Monthly ELCA Good Gifts ELCA Foundation About the ELCA About the ELCA What We Believe Mission & Vision History Congregations Synods Leadership Financial Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Churchwide Office of the Presiding Bishop Office of the Secretary Office of the Treasurer Domestic Mission Global Mission Mission AdvancementRelated Organizations Augsburg Fortress Christian Education Network of the ELCA Deaconess Community ELCA Federal Credit Union ELCA Foundation Evangelical Lutheran Education Association Life of Faith Lutheran Men in Mission Mission Investment Fund Portico Benefit Services Women of the ELCA Ways to Give ELCA Giving Opportunities Find an ELCA Congregation There is a place for you among our nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands... Search Now » Faith Faith ELCA Teaching Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Daily Bible Reading Faith and Society • Social Messages • Social Statements Journal of Lutheran Ethics Luther and Lutheranism Martin Luther was eight years old when Christopher Columbus set sail from Europe and landed in the Western Hemisphere. Luther was a young monk and priest when Michaelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel in Rome... Read More » Full Communion Partners Full communion is when two denominations develop a relationship based on a common confessing of the Christian faith and a mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing of the Lord’s Supper... Read More » Find a Congregation Resources Resources Downloadable Resources Items to Order ELCA Good Gifts Catalog The 24-page ELCA Good Gifts catalog offers many different ways to honor friends and loved ones with gifts that will make a difference in the world... Download » Order » First Call Process Completion of the first call process completes candidacy for all people, including those ordained in another Lutheran church or Christian tradition, moving them toward first call and admittance to the appropriate roster in the ELCA. Read More » News News News Releases ELCA Facts ELCA Blogs Statements from the Presiding Bishop Youth Gathering 50 Years of Ordained Women With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA gives thanks to God for the ministry of women. In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely. Read More » Sanctuary Denomination In its simplest form, becoming a sanctuary denomination means that the ELCA is publicly declaring that walking alongside immigrants and refugees is a matter of faith. In baptism, we are brought into a covenantal relationship with Jesus Christ that commits us to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Read More » Our Work Congregations and Synods Book of Faith Children’s Ministry Congregational Communication Tools Congregation and Synod Data Disability Ministry Education Program Planners ELCA New Congregations Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities Faith Practices "God’s work. Our hands." Sunday Innovation Lab Renewing Congregations Resourceful Servants Schools Seeds Monthly Stewardship Worship Young Adult Ministry Youth Ministry Youth Gathering Related Ministries Campus Ministry Mission Builders Outdoor MinistryLeadership Candidacy Leadership Development Colleges and Universities ELCA Fund for Leaders Federal Chaplaincy Ministries Lay Schools for Ministry Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta Quality of Call Initiative Seminaries Specialized Pastoral Care Vocation - Become a Leader Global Mission Global Service Glocal Events International Leaders Companion Synod Relationships Young Adults in Global Mission Related Ministries Campus Ministry Mission Builders Outdoor Ministry Relief and Development ELCA World Hunger HIV/AIDS Ministry Lutheran Disaster Response Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services Social Ministry Organizations Publicly Engaged Church Advocacy AMMPARO Corporate Social Responsibility Creation Care Network ELCAVotes Faith Science and Technology Justice for Women Justice Portal Lutheran Office for World Community Organizing for Mission Sumud Racial Justice Ministries Social Issues Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls) Volunteer Opportunities Learn more Learn more Learn More Previous Next Getting Started » New to ELCA New to the ELCA? Welcome to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is a church of about 4 million members who actively participate in God’s work in the world. We believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world. We are a church that belongs to Christ. There is a place for you here. We live in many different communities, span all ages, cultures and races and bring to this church unique life experiences and perspectives. Seek answers to your questions and discover what God is calling you to in life. Learn More: ELCA Teaching Our History Our Mission Our Vision ELCA in the News Congregations Congregations A congregation is a diverse community of believers who gather for worship, exploring God’s word together, mutual care and support, and equipping one another to live and serve in the world. About 4 million members of the ELCA gather in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states, Caribbean and U.S. Virgin Islands. Chances are there is a congregation near you. Find a congregation today and connect with other people who are committed to participating in what God is up to in the world. Learn More: Find a Congregation Congregations and Synods ELCA New Congregations Renewing Congregations Form A and C Lay Leaders Lay Leaders We believe that we all have a calling — a vocation — to follow Christ’s example of serving and loving our neighbor, pursuing justice and peace in the world. The ways in which lay leaders serve this church, their communities and the world are as diverse as the strengths, life experiences, interests and skills each person brings with them as part of their unique story. Learn more about yourself, how and where God may be calling you as a leader and what opportunities there are for further preparing yourself. Learn More Lay Schools for Ministry Rostered Ministers Rostered Ministers Rostered ministers are called, equipped and theologically trained to serve in the ELCA on a roster (or list) to do God’s work in the world. Rostered ministers include those on the word and sacrament and the word and service rosters. Rostered ministers work in congregations, special ministries, social service agencies, youth and family ministries, schools and colleges, parish nursing, and wherever God is at work and calling leaders to serve. Do you have a sense that God is calling you to serve? Learn more about the process and opportunities for ministry. Learn More: Become a Leader ELCA Leadership Rostered Ministers of the ELCA First Call Process ELCA Fund For Leaders Worship. Grow. Connect. Join leaders for the Rostered Ministers Gathering of the ELCA, August 7-10, 2017 Atlanta, Ga. Learn more about the event.News and Events MMIW Awareness Day Learn about ways your congregation can honor and take action around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) Awareness Day. Read More ELCA Church Council holds spring meeting Read a report of the actions and activities of the ELCA Church Council, which gathered at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, April 11-14. Read More AMMPARO goes global...