About Us

We are Lutheran

The “Lutheran” branch of the Christian faith emerged from God’s reforming work through a German monk named Martin Luther in the early 16th century CE. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is the global community of churches that has evolved from that work.

Our San Luis Obispo congregation was founded by migrants from the Midwest in the 1950s and is part of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA formed in 1988 to unite three historically ethnic-immigrant Lutheran churches in the United States. We claim this as a hopeful example of God’s family choosing to come together, rather than stay divided. We have chosen as our motto: “God’s Work; Our Hands”.

Together, we affirm the dignity and worth of each beloved child of God, and honor your full inclusion and equality in our life together.

Among the teachings and practices that reflect this are:

• Ordination of women (since 1970) and those who identify as LGBTQ (since 2009)
• Open communion – you need not be a member of this congregation, or any church at all, to come to Christ’s table
• Sacrament of marriage for same-gendered couples
• Respect and appreciation for science and those who study the natural world

Curious? Read more in depth about these and other topics in the Faith area of the ELCA website.