Lutheran Beliefs
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
& the Upstate New York Synod.
What We Believe
Lutherans believe in the Triune God. God created and loves all of creation—the earth and the seas and all of the world’s inhabitants. We believe that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, transforms lives through his death on the cross and his new life, and we trust that God’s Spirit is active in the world.
We are part of God’s unfolding plan. When we gather for worship, we connect with believers everywhere. When we study the Bible or hear God’s word in worship, we are drawn more deeply into God’s own saving story.
The convictions shared by Christians from many different traditions are expressed in statements of belief called creeds. These ecumenical creeds that Lutherans affirm and use in worship confess the faith of the church through the ages and around the world.
The Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is part of our founding constitution. The ELCA accepts the following creeds as true declarations of the faith of this church:
The Apostles’ Creed
The Nicene Creed
The Athanasian Creed
Advocacy: A Vision of Faith Centered on LOVE.
Our Synod holds a vision of faith centered on love, the love of God that activates us for justice and joy. This neighbor-love stands against a divisive ideology that is counter to the core message of the Gospel.
Join us in cultivating a faith that embodies God’s love and justice, a community rooted in the G.R.A.C.E. Mindset of Generous Love, Restorative Justice, Adaptive Leadership, Collaboration and Experimentation. Together, we can be a faithful example of God’s love in a world that longs for justice and joy.
5 Key Affirmations of Faith
1: Dignity for All
We affirm that every person is created in the image of God, deserving of LOVE, respect and dignity.
Rejection: We reject notions that promote exclusion or superiority based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexuality, belief or any other reason.
Action:
Treat every person with respect and dignity.
Challenge yourself to identify the image of God in every person.
“Go public” in affirming the dignity of all with what you wear, buy, who you vote for, how you communicate on social media, and every aspect of your public life.
2: Justice
We affirm our commitment to seek justice for the marginalized and oppressed, following Christ's call to LOVE and serve the least among us.
Rejection: We reject complacency and quietism in the face of injustice and harm.
Action:
Resist the temptation to stay silent.
Read the Prophets and Jesus through the lens of God’s liberating action.
Identify instances of injustice or harm in your community.
Accompany peoples directly impacted by instances of injustice and harm.
Locate and connect with local organizations seeking justice, especially those working for their own liberation.
Speak with elected officials.
Participate in peaceful protests.
Use your privilege for the sake of others.
3: Diverse Community
We affirm that the Church is called to be a diverse community that reflects God’s LOVE through life-giving relationships and mutual support.
Rejection: We reject divisive rhetoric that fosters isolation or creates barriers among God’s people.
Action:
Lean into empathy, compassion, and mercy.
Find opportunities to listen and learn from those living in fear.
LOVE others the way they want to be treated.
“Call in/out” those who engage in dehumanizing speech or actions.
Learn more how to “call in” or “call out”.
4: Respectful Dialogue
We affirm the necessity of respectful dialogue that encourages LOVE, understanding, accountability, and reconciliation within and beyond our communities.
Rejection: We reject hostility and polarization that stifle meaningful conversations about faith and life.
Action:
Start by getting to know individuals and their self-interests.
Listen with curiosity even when you disagree.
Find opportunities to engage with others across difference.
Learn more about respectful dialogue.
Do not engage if the possibility for harm is too high.
Practice self-care and prayer when this gets too heavy or difficult.
5: A Hopeful Future
We affirm the promise of a hopeful future in God's abundant kin-dom, where justice, LOVE, and peace prevail for all creation.
Rejection: We reject despair and fear that lead us to scarcity mindsets which put the self, or certain groups of people, at the center of the world.
Action:
Make sure that Jesus is at the center of your faith.
Pray for the inbreaking of God's kin-dom and participate in that work.
Participate in the “Pray without Ceasing” movement.
Give to your favorite charity, movement, or cause.
Find reasons to celebrate with others.
Member of the ELCA
The Upstate New York Synod and its local congregations belong to the ELCA, a nonpolitical organization of churches with shared values. The ELCA is guided by the churchwide assembly, a Church Council, and four elected officers.