About Lutheranism

Community of Joy belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is one of the largest denominations in America, with over three million members. But some may ask: What is a Lutheran?

Basically, Lutheranism boils down to the idea that Christianity is first and foremost a message of good news about God’s love for the world in Jesus Christ. It began with a professor and monk named Martin Luther, (1483-1546 CE), who sought to bring reform to the medieval church by reclaiming a more grace-centered understanding of God and ending widespread corruption in the church.

Luther’s ideas inspired a great debate within the church, which eventually escalated into a distinct separation between the Roman Catholic church of the time and those who accepted Luther’s suggested reforms. "Lutheran" became the name of the group that agreed with Luther’s convictions. Though many things have changed for Lutherans over the years, the conviction that Christianity is a message of grace and good news still remains the same!

Today, over seventy million global Lutherans partner together in an organization called the Lutheran World Federation to share God’s love and bring aid to those in need. Along with these Lutherans connections, the ELCA is also deeply committed to partnerships with other Christian groups around the globe. Like Luther before us, together we continue to be reformed by God’s life-changing love.