What we teach

 As ELCA Lutherans we believe: 

In the Triune God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – God the Father is the creator of all things; Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son, who promises us forgiveness, life and salvation; and the Holy Spirit, who breathes new life in us and makes us holy.

 That we are saved by the grace of God through faith–not by anything we do; 

That the Bible is the norm for faith and life – the true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged; 

 In two sacraments, Baptism and Eucharist, which we believe are central to our identity as Christians.  In the Eucharist, Christ is truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine; and 

 In the theology of the cross – that God meets us in our suffering – discipleship means following Jesus, even to the cross, because it is in dying with Him that we are born to new life as members of His body. 

Living our faith
Through Word and Sacrament

ELCA congregations hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught and come to the Lord’s Table expecting to receive the mercies that the Triune God promises. Throughout the week ELCA members continue to live by faith, serving others freely and generously in all that they do because they trust God’s promise in the Gospel. In small groups and at sick beds, in private devotions and in daily work, this faith saturates all of life.

Scriptures, Creeds and Confessions

The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible); the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. ELCA congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with these teaching sources.