Partner/Related Organizations
Sharing in God's mission with the global network
Though the ELCA is one church body comprised of three expressions -- congregations, synods, and our churchwide organization -- our shared mission also depends on partner organizations. The ELCA shares important relationships with the following groups:
Church Networks
The ELCA is a member of the
Lutheran World Federation; in fact, both share a common leader in the Rev. Mark S. Hanson. Learn more about
Lutheran World Federation.
The ELCA is a member of the
World Council of Churches (WCC), a fellowship of nearly 350 Christian churches in more than 110 countries and territories throughout the world. You can learn more at the
WCC Web site.
The ELCA works and prays together with fellow members of the
National Council of Churches of Christ - USA, a century-old ecumenical network of churches throughout the United States. Visit
www.ncccusa.org to learn more.
Service Agencies
The ELCA supports and shares mission with nearly 300 Lutheran
Social Ministry Organizations (SMOs) in the United States through Lutheran Services in America. Learn more about
how we work with SMOs.
The ELCA works hand in hand with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) to advocate and provide assistance for refugees, migrants and those seeking political asylum. Find out more about this important work on the LIRS Web site.
When disaster strikes,
ELCA Disaster Response works alongside and in support of
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Learn more about this collaboration by visiting the
LDR Web site.
When an international disaster strikes, the ELCA works with Action by Churches Together. This alliance of the World Council of Churches coordinates response to ensure that donations from the ELCA and other churches are used quickly, effectively and without duplication. Learn more at the Action by Churches Together Web site.
A trusted ministry of both the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) works with community-based partners in 50 countries to end hunger and improve the quality of life in communities all over the world. In fact, each year about $5 million dollars raised from the ELCA World Hunger Appeal goes directly to support LWR projects. You can learn more about their work at the
Lutheran World Relief Web site.
Full Communion Partners
As a Christian denomination, the ELCA maintains close ties and has adopted full communion relationships with the following church bodies:
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
• United Church of Christ
• The Episcopal Church (U.S.A)
• Moravian Church (U.S.A)
• Reformed Church in America
Learn more about what this “full communion” relationship means by visiting Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.
Why are these relationships important?
Many reasons, including:
Access. Because of these relationships, the ELCA works with agencies that have local contacts around the world -- so when crises occur, we have the infrastructure and networks in place to act quickly and to stay in areas of need for the long haul.
Focus. Our partners have developed specialized capacities in many areas of service.
Financial Efficiencies. By working together with partner agencies, we reduce duplication of efforts, and increase our capacity to help people all over the world.
Help for more people. Because of our ecumenical relationships, we can gain access to help people regardless of whether they share our faith tradition.
Stronger, more effective ministry. Together in mission, Lutherans -- and all of God’s people -- can accomplish much more.