About Us

The North/West Lower Michigan Synod is one of 65 synods in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, representing 129 congregations, 237 ordained pastors, and 48,859 baptized members. To locate a congregation or pastor in your area, visit www.elca.org.


Guiding Principles

  • Wellness of our home, the earth
  • Wellness of the three primary expressions of the ELCA (churchwide, synodical, congregational) and of other expressions of the Body of Christ
  • Wellness of one’s self
  • Wellness of the whole human family


Emphases

  • Loving God passionately – extravagantly giving of ourselves to God
  • Articulating a Lutheran vision of God’s will and promise – confidently living and speaking a Lutheran way of seeing, a theology of the cross, of God in every situation, of God in paradox, of the fullness of God in Christ
  • Caring for creation – radically changing our lifestyles
  • Working for justice – courageously welcoming the stranger
  • Embracing the gifts of intimacy and human sexuality – thoughtfully rejoicing in and bearing responsibility for these gifts
  • Accompanying global and local partners – humbly receiving and honoring our Lutheran, ecumenical, and interfaith relationships
  • Accompanying global and local partners – humbly receiving and honoring our Lutheran, ecumenical, and interfaith relationships

Ministry Partners
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is made up of over 10,000 congregations grouped in 65 synods (regions). Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and churchwide staff are based at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Illinois. A variety of resources for synods and congregations are available at www.elca.org. Sign up for the ELCA News Service to receive news releases about the ELCA’s presence in God’s world.

Living Water Ministries is a shared ministry of the North/West Lower Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Synods. With facilities in Fairview (Michi-Lu-Ca) and New Era (Stony Lake), Living Water Ministries provides camping experiences for children and youth as well as meaningful retreats for adults. To learn more, visit www.elcalivingwater.com.

Lutheran Social Services of Michigan (LSSM) creates communities of service. We walk with people in need, offering hope and compassion while upholding their dignity, advocating for equality and justice, and seeking creative solutions. A social ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), LSSM is not just for Lutherans. Read more…

What if members of ELCA congregations could grow their personal finances while helping to grow their church? And what if, in turn, mission congregations, established congregations and ELCA-related ministries could finance capital building projects with competitively priced loans and take advantage of comprehensive building-consulting services? The Mission Investment Fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America makes both of these dreams possible. Through the fund, individual members, congregations and ministries of the ELCA can purchase investments, earning interest at competitive rates.

The ELCA Foundation exists to sustain and grow ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through our nationwide network of professional gift planning staff, we assist members in their call to live as faithful and generous stewards. We also support and strengthen the ministry of congregations, agencies, and institutions through financial education, resources, support, and investment management services. [more]