University Lutheran is a Campus Ministry Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. We are a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. This faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover, and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. Liberated by our faith, we embrace people as whole persons — questions, complexities, and all. We believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world.
ELCA Value Statements
We are a church that belongs to Christ. There is a place for you here. We believe God calls each of us by name. Christ’s church is not ours to control, nor is it our job to sort, divide, categorize or exclude. Whenever we feel compelled to “draw the line” in our lives, we must acknowledge as Lutherans that Jesus always stands on both sides of that line.
We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. Because we are grounded in God’s love and forgiveness, we are equipped to live and serve here and now, in the world, with all its complexities, tensions and ambiguities. We have the courage to explore the world as saints and sinners, knowing we will never take God somewhere God has not already been.
We are a church that believes Jesus is God’s “Yes” to us. Our lives can be a “Yes” to others. The “Yes” of Jesus Christ compels and empowers us to be open and accessible within any community, within any context.
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. We don’t have to do it alone, and we don’t have to do everything. Each of us has a unique story, and we are part of a larger story that makes up the ELCA. We work through our congregations, synods and partners, and the churchwide organization. Together, we achieve things on a scale and scope that we could never do otherwise.
We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. We do God’s work in the world — restoring and reconciling communities. We pursue justice and seek peace no matter how long the journey or wide the chasm.
We are a church that is a catalyst, convener, and bridge builder. Our faith calls us to see the world as interdependent. The ELCA has become a force for connection, working across denominations, faiths, organizations and sectors, locally and globally. We’re a welcome partner because we respect the perspectives and strengths of others and share a common vision to uphold human dignity.
We are a church that is energized by lively engagement in our faith and life. “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing,” said Martin Luther. We continually strive for a deeper understanding of what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the world. Doing so puts us right where God wants us to be: in the thick of life.
We are a church that is deeply rooted — and always being made new. Our roots are in Scripture, tradition and the Lutheran Confessions, as well as in the vibrant communities and rich histories of our congregations. These roots are an ongoing source of nourishment; they enable us to be a church, guided by the Holy Spirit, that is both resilient and always being reformed.
We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. Because we are grounded in God’s love and forgiveness, we are equipped to live and serve here and now, in the world, with all its complexities, tensions and ambiguities. We have the courage to explore the world as saints and sinners, knowing we will never take God somewhere God has not already been.
We are a church that believes Jesus is God’s “Yes” to us. Our lives can be a “Yes” to others. The “Yes” of Jesus Christ compels and empowers us to be open and accessible within any community, within any context.
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. We don’t have to do it alone, and we don’t have to do everything. Each of us has a unique story, and we are part of a larger story that makes up the ELCA. We work through our congregations, synods and partners, and the churchwide organization. Together, we achieve things on a scale and scope that we could never do otherwise.
We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. We do God’s work in the world — restoring and reconciling communities. We pursue justice and seek peace no matter how long the journey or wide the chasm.
We are a church that is a catalyst, convener, and bridge builder. Our faith calls us to see the world as interdependent. The ELCA has become a force for connection, working across denominations, faiths, organizations and sectors, locally and globally. We’re a welcome partner because we respect the perspectives and strengths of others and share a common vision to uphold human dignity.
We are a church that is energized by lively engagement in our faith and life. “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing,” said Martin Luther. We continually strive for a deeper understanding of what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the world. Doing so puts us right where God wants us to be: in the thick of life.
We are a church that is deeply rooted — and always being made new. Our roots are in Scripture, tradition and the Lutheran Confessions, as well as in the vibrant communities and rich histories of our congregations. These roots are an ongoing source of nourishment; they enable us to be a church, guided by the Holy Spirit, that is both resilient and always being reformed.
So, what is Lutheran Christianity?
The term “Lutheran” comes from the name of 15th century church reformer, Martin Luther, who wished to make the church and a relationship with God accessible to more people. Historically, “Lutheran” refers to a protestant denomination with followers around the world but it also is a way of experiencing, seeing, and understanding God’s love through Jesus Christ in all of creation.
We experience God through:
The Cross
Although the cross was meant to be a symbol of torture and death, through Jesus’ death, the cross instead becomes a message of God’s unconditional love. God meets us in the cross. Jesus, both God and human, suffered on the cross, revealing God’s presence to us in all of our brokenness, vulnerability, and pain. God knows our suffering and embraces us as God’s own children. But the cross isn’t the end of the story—after three days, Jesus was raised from death. In Jesus’ rising, God has defeated death, liberating us from any person, mentality, or system that causes us experience death. We are free to live a new life in Christ!
The Sacraments
Sacraments are tangible elements and experiences promised to us by a God who loves and forgives.
Scripture
The Bible is diverse in its history, context, intent, and meaning; therefore, it is interpreted in diverse ways. In the Bible, we read of God’s healing and reconciling work throughout all of creation and of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Through its collection of stories, events, and encounters, the Bible is a means of us hearing God’s Word of grace. This Word of God is radical and leads us to new life and new values—illusions are shattered, enemies are reconciled, justice is practiced, and dignity is restored.
Service
Hearing and experiencing God’s love for all of creation, we are lead to a life of service; God’s radical love for us, calls us to love others radically. Through Christ’s life and death, we are reminded that we serve not so that God may love us, but because God does love us. Therefore, we are called out of the church building and into the world, advocating for those that are marginalized, seeking healing where there is brokenness, and boldly speaking of love where there is hatred.
Ultimately, we are a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you and each other and the world as whole persons — questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
Still have questions? Ask away! E-mail our pastoral staff today.
Although the cross was meant to be a symbol of torture and death, through Jesus’ death, the cross instead becomes a message of God’s unconditional love. God meets us in the cross. Jesus, both God and human, suffered on the cross, revealing God’s presence to us in all of our brokenness, vulnerability, and pain. God knows our suffering and embraces us as God’s own children. But the cross isn’t the end of the story—after three days, Jesus was raised from death. In Jesus’ rising, God has defeated death, liberating us from any person, mentality, or system that causes us experience death. We are free to live a new life in Christ!
The Sacraments
Sacraments are tangible elements and experiences promised to us by a God who loves and forgives.
- Baptism models the life of Jesus Christ, through his own baptism, his death, and his resurrection. In the Bible, we read about Jesus’ baptism and his call to his disciples to baptize. With water and the Word of God (God’s message of grace found in scripture), we can also experience the gift of baptism. In baptism, we die to whatever causes us to feel less than a child of God and are raised to new life, claimed by God in full, unconditional love. Baptism joins us to Christian communities around the world, working for justice and being agents of Christ’s love on earth.
- On the night before his death, Jesus gathered with his friends and shared one final meal. Remembering this story and Jesus’ command to “do this in memory of me,” we celebrate Holy Communion, sharing a family meal of bread and wine, when we worship together. We remember Jesus’ words: “this is my body” and “this is my blood” – assurance of Christ’s presence with us at all times. This meal is about thankfulness, community, and relationship. Christ is the host of this meal and all are welcome to participate.
Scripture
The Bible is diverse in its history, context, intent, and meaning; therefore, it is interpreted in diverse ways. In the Bible, we read of God’s healing and reconciling work throughout all of creation and of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Through its collection of stories, events, and encounters, the Bible is a means of us hearing God’s Word of grace. This Word of God is radical and leads us to new life and new values—illusions are shattered, enemies are reconciled, justice is practiced, and dignity is restored.
Service
Hearing and experiencing God’s love for all of creation, we are lead to a life of service; God’s radical love for us, calls us to love others radically. Through Christ’s life and death, we are reminded that we serve not so that God may love us, but because God does love us. Therefore, we are called out of the church building and into the world, advocating for those that are marginalized, seeking healing where there is brokenness, and boldly speaking of love where there is hatred.
Ultimately, we are a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you and each other and the world as whole persons — questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
Still have questions? Ask away! E-mail our pastoral staff today.
