Why we call ourselves “evangelical” Lutherans
You may be asking yourself what it means for our congregation to be a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), especially considering that the term evangelism has come to mean something very specific. In her 2015 article, Are You An Evangelical? Are You Sure?, NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben writes that the word evangelism today is “not a nuanced religious concept but a flat heuristic for the idea of ‘politically conservative Christians,’ ”
At Holy Trinity, we use the term only as a religious concept to reflect sharing the good news and teachings of Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus loves all of us and wants us to welcome all to our community, regardless of race or culture, Deaf or hearing, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or relationship status. We extend that welcome to all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, varying intellects and abilities, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us.
If you’re interested in learning more, we suggest the following articles:
- The “e” word: Why does the ELCA have the word “evangelical” in its name? by By Robert C. Blezard
- Recapturing ‘evangelical’ by Herbert W. Chilstrom
Still have questions? Please contact us! We’re happy to talk more.