Our Core Beliefs

WHAT ELCA LUTHERANS BELIEVE ABOUT ….

GRACE - Our core belief is that we are saved by grace through faith. That means that no one - no matter how good = can ever earn his or her own salvation. All have fallen short of God's demands. That is why the gospel is so central to our faith. We believe that our only source of hope comes through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for our sins.

THE CHURCH - We believe the work of the church is two-fold: to preach the Gospel and to administer the sacraments.

THE GOSPEL - The Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ - that through him we have the promise and hope of salvation.

THE SACRAMENTS - A sacrament is a means of grace; that is, a way in which God's grace comes to us. It is instituted by grace and conveyed through an earthly element (water, bread, wine). We have two sacraments, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Through the sacraments, God gives us the gifts of forgiveness for our sins, life, and salvation.

THE BIBLE - We believe that the whole Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, tells the rich and varied story of God's work of salvation. It is the final authority for all preaching and teaching. No doctrine or tradition of the church overrules it or adds to it.

THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS - This is the understanding that we are all called to be ministers, proclaimers of the gospel, whether we are clergy or laity. Therefore, no matter what our vocation, we are all ministers.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE - We believe, like all Christians, that true faith is active in love for our neighbor. As Jesus reached out to the outcast and outsider in his ministry, so the church seeks them in it ministry. The church is called to serve people in material as well as spiritual needs.