About the ELCA
About the ELCA

What We Believe

Vision and Purpose

History

Congregations

Synods

Leadership

Financial

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations

Churchwide

Office of the Presiding Bishop

Office of the Secretary

Office of the Treasurer
Related 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...
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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...
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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...
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Find a Congregation
Resources
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.
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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.
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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
Leadership

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

Gender Justice and Women's Empowerment

Justice Portal

Lutheran Office for World Community

Organizing for Mission

Sumud

Racial Justice Ministries

Social Issues

Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls)

Volunteer Opportunities

Word and Service Roster

The previous three lay rosters became the new Roster of Ministers of Word and Service on Jan. 1, 2017. An Entrance Rite Discernment Group, formed at the request of the Church Council, will recommend an entrance rite – consecration or ordination – for the new roster. Click on the tabs for resources related to these important decisions.

Entrance Rite
Diaconal ministry

Resources and information provided by the Entrance Rite Discernment Group

Related Organizations

Find an ELCA Congregation

Luther and Lutheranism

Full Communion Partners

50 Years of Ordained Women

Sanctuary Denomination

Word and Service Roster

Final Report and Recommendations of the Entrance Rite Discernment Group

Final Report and Recommendations of the Entrance Rite Discernment Group

Opening Letter for Papers

Opening Letter for Papers

Word and Service Entrance Rite Discernment Group FAQs

Word and Service Entrance Rite Discernment Group FAQs

Initiatory Rituals for Public Ministry

Initiatory Rituals for Public Ministry

A Liturgical Perspective on the Ordination of Deacons in the ELCA

A Liturgical Perspective on the Ordination of Deacons in the ELCA

Baptism and Vocation

Baptism and Vocation

Diaconal Ministry: The Entrance Rite Question

Diaconal Ministry: The Entrance Rite Question

Ecumenical and Global Perspectives

Ecumenical and Global Perspectives

Feedback Forms for Papers

Feedback Forms for Papers

Ministry, Mission, and Leadership Bible Study

Ministry, Mission, and Leadership Bible Study

Entrance Rite Discernment Group Update March 2017

Entrance Rite Discernment Group Update March 2017

Deacon Descriptions

Deacon Descriptions

What is a Deacon?

What is a Deacon?

ELCA Deacon Cross Pin

ELCA Deacon Cross Pin

Theology for One Lutheran Diaconate

Theology for One Lutheran Diaconate

To Love and Serve the Lord

To Love and Serve the Lord

Together For Ministry

Together For Ministry

This is Christ's church.

There is a place for you here.