ELCA

  • Home
  • ELCA.org
  • Find a congregation
Subscribe

  • Congregational life
  • Voices of Faith
  • Religious news & social issues
  • Children and family
  • Mission & ministry
  • Spiritual practices & resources
  • Reformation
  • Stories of Faith

Living Lutheran
  • Home
  • Congregational life
  • Voices of Faith
  • Religious news & social issues
  • Children and family
  • Mission & ministry
  • Spiritual practices & resources
  • Reformation
  • From the presiding Bishop
  • Prayer ventures
  • Photo gallery
  • Video
  • ELCA.org
  • Stories of Faith
  • Find a congregation
  • Subscribe/Log in
Living Lutheran

ELCA structure

The shrinking church

Singing a new song

Just one more Lutheran body

Read more >
  • From the presiding BishopSeptember 2025
  • Prayer venturesOctober 8, 2025
  • Obituaries
  • Photo Galleries
  • Videos
  • Podcast

Study Guide

The shrinking church

ELCA congregations are following the national trend of decreasing attendance and cash flow. The reasons are complex, but it’s pushing Lutherans to search for new ways to stay relevant and reach the people who most need the light of Christ and are least likely to come to church to find it: the unchurched, the fallen-away and the young.

Download Now

We are a church that values and encourages diverse voices and lively dialogue in our faith and life. Living Lutheran is an opportunity for church members to express individual perspectives, and does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Write for us
  • Submit idea/photo
  • Issue Archives
  • Audio Issue Archives

Connect

  • facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Twitter

Contact Us

  • ELCA.org
  • Find a Congregation
  • Give

We are a church that values and encourages diverse voices and lively dialogue in our faith and life. Living Lutheran is an opportunity for church members to express individual perspectives, and does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Submission to and use of LivingLutheran.org is subject to the policies of the ELCA, including but not limited to the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Trademark Guidelines. © Copyright 2025 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America®