Skip to content
Profile
Subscribe
Explore Ways to Read Living Lutheran
ELCA Logo Logout
Subscribe
Explore Ways to Read Living Lutheran
Living Faithfully

We are Church for the Sake of the World

ELCA Synod Assembly 2016

What is the role of the Church in the world? ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton says, “We’re not a social service agency with sacraments. We are the Body of Christ and together, we are church for the sake of the world.”

Related Topics

Related Articles

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us as Lutherans,…
I’m a Lutheran: David Rutlen
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: David Rutlen

St. James Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore. Professor emeritus of medicine and retired head of General Cardiology, Oregon Health and Science University; marathon runner I’m named after my grandfather, David Ruotsalainen,…
The most honest church festival day
Voices of Faith

The most honest church festival day

One blustery Ash Wednesday, some pastor colleagues and I went downtown to distribute “ashes on the go.” We spread on sidewalks that ran along towering office buildings and bustling restaurants, dressed in clergy wear…

Member Benefit

Free Account Required

You have attempted to access a feature of this website that is only available to members of livinglutheran.org.

A free membership gives you a customized dashboard for curated content based on your interest, the ability to like and save articles, an optional subscription to a weekly email digest “LL Stories”, and more.

See all benefits

Sign up

Already have an account?

Welcome Back to Living Lutheran

Our new and improved website has an updated login system.

If you are a subscriber to the LL Stories email digest from before the introduction of the new website in December 2025, your account is intact, but your password will need to be reset unless you have a login for another ELCA website.

If you have a login for another ELCA website like community.elca.org, directory.elca.org or others you can use the password associated with that login.

Continue To Login

Choose Login

Log In To
Manage Subscription

Your print subscriptions can be managed and renewed through our publishing partner Cambey & West.
Manage Subscription

Log In
To Website

If you signed up on livinglutheran.org to personalize the website or subscribe to our email digest you can log in below.
Website Login

Explore Ways to Access Living Lutheran

Subscribe To
The Print Magazine

The quarterly print magazine Living Lutheran delivered right to your door.
Subscribe

Create
Website Account

Create a free account to access to exclusive online content, like and save articles, and optionally subscribe to our weekly email newsletter - LL Stories.
Create Account