The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a church of shared leadership. Across nearly 8,400 congregations, 65 synods and the churchwide organization, we live our faith together, guided by the Holy Spirit, Lutheran tradition and those called to serve with wisdom, care and conviction.
Based in Chicago, Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry leads our church. Through the ELCA, we are a part of the Southeastern Synod, which includes over 8,000 congregations. Reverend Kevin Strickland is the bishop of the Southeastern Synod.
The ELCA’s values are rooted in faith, shaped by the Bible and the Lutheran tradition, and grounded in our love for God and our neighbor. These values guide how we, as the church, live our faith each day and shape how we move forward as the body of Christ.
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- Dignity, Compassion and Justice
- Inclusion and Diversity
- Courage and Openness to Change
- Faithful Stewardship of God’s Gifts
Good Shepherd contributes to support ministries in the Synod and the ELCA. Some of these ministries we support include:
- ELCA World Hunger
- Lutheran Disaster Response
- ELCA Global Church Sponsorship
- Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, which educates men and women for ministry in the Church.
- Inspiritus, which provides residential group home services, foster care, adoptions, refugee resettlement, prison ministry, marriage and family counseling and enrichment