St. James Lutheran Church

St. James Lutheran Church is a nonprofit organization within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. As an ELCA congregation, St. James adheres to the Lutheran faith and doctrine while participating in local and global missions.

Affiliation and Mission

The ELCA, which comprises over 2.79 million baptized members across nearly 8,500 congregations, emphasizes a modified episcopal polity with some congregational autonomy. St. James, like other ELCA congregations, engages in various community and social ministries, reflecting the church's commitment to service and outreach.

Worship and Community Engagement

Typically, St. James Lutheran Church would offer worship services and participate in activities fostering community engagement. This might include religious education, youth programs, and outreach initiatives, aligning with the ELCA's broader objectives of serving both local and global communities.

Operations

As a nonprofit entity, St. James would depend on donations, fundraising events, and community support to sustain its ministries and programs. Like many ELCA congregations, it would be involved in local charity work and participate in broader church initiatives, such as disaster relief and global mission support.

Beliefs and Values

St. James Lutheran Church upholds core Lutheran teachings, affirming the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The congregation's activities reflect a commitment to loving and serving neighbors, guided by biblical teachings such as those found in Matthew 25:35 and Mark 12:30-31.

Role in the Community

By being an integral part of the community, St. James contributes to the social fabric by offering religious services and participating in outreach programs that benefit both its members and the wider community. This aligns with the ELCA's approach of fostering inclusive and compassionate environments for all individuals.

[1] https://stjamesgettysburg.org [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_America [3] https://stjamesaustin.org [4] https://gulfcoastsynod.org/membership-directory/st-james-evangelical-lutheran-church/ [5] https://www.stjameslc.org