Evangelical Lutheran Church In America

Ministries of social justice, pastoral care, and evangelism are all advanced by the liturgy itself in most Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations. When conducted with authenticity, the liturgy provides for the proclamation of the gospel, for the comforting of the sorrowing, and for the addressing of social issues in light of God's Word. Full participation of women and the inclusion of children also signify that the liturgy itself is a symbol of the coming kingdom of God. As a liturgically and sacramentally oriented church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has given considerable attention to the ways in which worship finds integration with other ministries of the church. Women's issues, outreach, social concerns, spiritual formation, education, children's ministries, and pastoral care are all areas which Lutheran worship has attempted to address in some way. Women's Issues and Worship Full participation of women in worship and ministry in the Evangel…