ELCA bishops letter: “Insist on Love” for the Church

Posted by NCLC | Oct 18, 2025 | ELCA, SPSELCA |

ELCA bishops have issued a pastoral letter calling the church to “insist on love” amid a time of national and global tension. Grounded in Genesis 1:27 and recent ELCA social teachings, the letter affirms the God-given dignity of every person and names harms experienced by immigrants and refugees, people of color, and transgender people. It urges congregations to embody hospitality, justice, and hope in public life.

The bishops also reject Christian nationalism as a distortion of the gospel that confuses faith with political power and privileges some over others. They invite ELCA members to pray, advocate for protective laws, create safe and affirming spaces, and model respectful dialogue. Read the full letter and signer list here: https://www.spselca.org/blog/a-letter-from-bishops-of-the-elca-to-the-church. (Published on the SPS blog Oct 11, 2025; letter dated Oct 8, 2025.)

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NCLC

We are a small community of about 70 people. Attendance varies at our services, depending on the month, the weather, and/or the occasion. We have people of all ages and backgrounds. While many of us identify ourselves as Lutherans, many also come from other faith communities, some consider themselves agnostic, and some are still discovering (or undecided).