WHAT WE BELIEVE
The ELCA
Our Denomination
Faith Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, which has about 2.5 million members in about 9,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. By supporting the ELCA, we participate in the national and global ministries of the largest Lutheran denomination in North America.
Our Denomination
Faith Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, which has about 2.5 million members in about 9,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. By supporting the ELCA, we participate in the national and global ministries of the largest Lutheran denomination in North America.
Reconciling in Christ
Welcoming & Affirming
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation which means that we not only welcome everyone, but we affirm who they have been created to be. To learn more about Reconciling Works, our denominational program of welcome please visit this website: Reconciling Works
Welcoming & Affirming
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation which means that we not only welcome everyone, but we affirm who they have been created to be. To learn more about Reconciling Works, our denominational program of welcome please visit this website: Reconciling Works
God's Word
Our View of the Bible
We believe that God’s Living Word is Jesus Christ and that God’s Living Word can be heard within the words of the Bible of both the Old and New Testament. We believe that God’s Holy Spirit calls us to witness to God’s Living Word in our words and actions – in ways that are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also are inclusive, humble, kind, and reforming.
Our View of the Bible
We believe that God’s Living Word is Jesus Christ and that God’s Living Word can be heard within the words of the Bible of both the Old and New Testament. We believe that God’s Holy Spirit calls us to witness to God’s Living Word in our words and actions – in ways that are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also are inclusive, humble, kind, and reforming.
Good News
Evangelical but not Evangelicals
In US society, the label “evangelical” has become synonymous with fundamentalism, Biblical literalism, and judgmentalism. Instead, we seek to reclaim the original meaning of the word evangelical, which comes from the Greek word for Gospel ("Good News").
Evangelical but not Evangelicals
In US society, the label “evangelical” has become synonymous with fundamentalism, Biblical literalism, and judgmentalism. Instead, we seek to reclaim the original meaning of the word evangelical, which comes from the Greek word for Gospel ("Good News").
Cross & Tomb
Central Symbols of Faith
The two central visual symbols of our faith are Jesus’ cross and empty tomb. We believe that, on the cross, God meets us - hidden in weakness, vulnerable, suffering, forsaken, and dying. Through the empty tomb, God proclaims the ultimate triumph of love over evil and hate and the defeat of everything that separates humanity from God and from each other. When we hear Jesus’ story, God breaks into our lives pleading for us to give up our games, false gods, illusions, vindications, and excuses. God exhorts us to give up our dreams of finding validation in our good works and in our status.
Central Symbols of Faith
The two central visual symbols of our faith are Jesus’ cross and empty tomb. We believe that, on the cross, God meets us - hidden in weakness, vulnerable, suffering, forsaken, and dying. Through the empty tomb, God proclaims the ultimate triumph of love over evil and hate and the defeat of everything that separates humanity from God and from each other. When we hear Jesus’ story, God breaks into our lives pleading for us to give up our games, false gods, illusions, vindications, and excuses. God exhorts us to give up our dreams of finding validation in our good works and in our status.
Baptism
Dying & Rising with Christ
We believe that the Sacrament of Baptism tells us who we are, whose we are, and how we are to live. In baptism, our old self is crucified and buried with Christ, and we are raised with Christ to live as new human beings in a new order of existence. In our baptism, God says YES to us. Because of God's YES, we are freed from sin and death. Because of God's YES, we are able to have faith.
Dying & Rising with Christ
We believe that the Sacrament of Baptism tells us who we are, whose we are, and how we are to live. In baptism, our old self is crucified and buried with Christ, and we are raised with Christ to live as new human beings in a new order of existence. In our baptism, God says YES to us. Because of God's YES, we are freed from sin and death. Because of God's YES, we are able to have faith.
Holy Communion
Food for the Journey
We believe that the Sacrament of Holy Communion strengthens us for the journey of our lives. In the elements of bread and wine, Christ comes to us and is present among us when we gather around his altar. We are not alone. God is with us always and bestows upon us the gifts of faith, peace, hope, love, courage, humility, integrity, and kindness. By God’s grace, we are freed towards a life of service and able to walk in solidarity with those who are in pain.
Food for the Journey
We believe that the Sacrament of Holy Communion strengthens us for the journey of our lives. In the elements of bread and wine, Christ comes to us and is present among us when we gather around his altar. We are not alone. God is with us always and bestows upon us the gifts of faith, peace, hope, love, courage, humility, integrity, and kindness. By God’s grace, we are freed towards a life of service and able to walk in solidarity with those who are in pain.
The Church
A Gift from God to Us
We believe that churches do not exist as ends to themselves. Rather, the mission of church is to worship God, grow in faith, and serve their neighbors in God’s name. Despite all its grave failings, the Church is a gift to us from God. The Church is God’s creation. God is the architect and builder of the church, and God is still building it today. This belief gives the church its identity and mission. Together we are stronger. Together, we are better equipped to weather what life throws at us. Together, we worship, pray, learn, serve, and play.
A Gift from God to Us
We believe that churches do not exist as ends to themselves. Rather, the mission of church is to worship God, grow in faith, and serve their neighbors in God’s name. Despite all its grave failings, the Church is a gift to us from God. The Church is God’s creation. God is the architect and builder of the church, and God is still building it today. This belief gives the church its identity and mission. Together we are stronger. Together, we are better equipped to weather what life throws at us. Together, we worship, pray, learn, serve, and play.
Christian Service
God Making Us New
We believe that Lutheranism is not primarily a system of doctrines and dogmas, but a way of seeing, hearing, teaching, and following. Service to our neighbors, therefore, is of utmost importance to us. We believe that Jesus meets us in the people whom we serve, and that God’s Holy Spirit is at work in people, shaping them through their service. By partnering with other organizations locally, regionally, and nationally, we are able to provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and clothing for those in need.
God Making Us New
We believe that Lutheranism is not primarily a system of doctrines and dogmas, but a way of seeing, hearing, teaching, and following. Service to our neighbors, therefore, is of utmost importance to us. We believe that Jesus meets us in the people whom we serve, and that God’s Holy Spirit is at work in people, shaping them through their service. By partnering with other organizations locally, regionally, and nationally, we are able to provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and clothing for those in need.
Stewardship
Taking Care of that which God Loves
We believe that God calls humans to be good stewards of all that which God loves. God calls us to be caretakers of creation, the land, our campus resources, our public voice, relationships, our own and other people's bodies, communities, our time, our financial resources, our words, and so much more.
Taking Care of that which God Loves
We believe that God calls humans to be good stewards of all that which God loves. God calls us to be caretakers of creation, the land, our campus resources, our public voice, relationships, our own and other people's bodies, communities, our time, our financial resources, our words, and so much more.
