A recognized chapter of ELCF

     Martin Luther called for the reformation of the Church when he nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg. In the first thesis he proposed that repentance is an attitude and action that the whole church is to adopt in response to our merciful and perfect God.

"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said 'Repent', he willed the entire life of the believers to be one of repentance." (Thesis One of the Ninety-Five Theses)

Lutherans Reform! is a grassroots movement that seeks to renew the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) much as the first Reformation did, by returning to our Biblical and Confessional roots.

Lutherans Reform! considers the state of the ELCA to be our problem-not "us" versus "them." Founded in May of 2004 by a group of pastors serving congregations within the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA, Lutherans Reform! trusts that God is still working in the church and creating avenues for renewed faithfulness and increased outreach.

The immediate goal of Lutherans Reform! is to ensure that the ELCA does not adopt doctrines and practices that counter the clear Biblical witness.

Lutherans Reform! believes that the spiritual, moral and evangelistic weaknesses of the ELCA effect us all. We all need to humble ourselves and to rediscover the Biblical and Confessional witness that Lutheranism offers to the world and to reject opinions and habits which marginalize the true message of the church.

Lutherans Reform! is one of many voices in the renewal of the church that have arisen in the life of the ELCA. See our Links to find other voices of renewal within the life of the ELCA.

Lutherans Reform! supports memorials and resolutions offered at synodical and churchwide assemblies that promote the faithful renewal of the church.

Lutherans Reform! is pan-Lutheran, realizing that the ELCA is not the only embodiment of Lutheranism in America. It encourages the use of resources on the Internet and in print which promote Lutheran identity in a faithful manner.

Lutherans Reform! is thankful for the Lutheran church in Tanzania which, like the Anglican churches in Africa, offers an inspiring model for renewal of the church in America.

Lutherans Reform! recognizes Lutheranism's place as a movement within the church catholic, and it supports cooperation between faithful expressions of the ecumenical church.

Lutherans Reform! hopes to provide pastors and laity with resources that equip congregations for faithful ministry and dynamic outreach.

Lutherans Reform! offers mutual support and encouragement to those seeking to uphold the faith in a time of ethical relativism and moral confusion.

To accomplish this goal, Lutherans Reform! strives to:

+Emphasize the rightful place of Scripture, the word of
God, in the lives of the faithful.

+Acknowledge the central role of the creeds/Lutheran
Confessions

+Deepen our understanding of the faith

+Proclaim the essential tension and balance between law-
gospel, sin-grace, repentance - discipleship

+Strengthen connections between congregations sharing
these convictions

+Promote the participation of both lay and rostered people
in the process of renewal

+Identify and provide resources to accomplish these goals

Lutherans Reform! invites your comments, questions, and participation. For more information contact any of the following:
Rev. Paul Gausmann at 717-792-1650
Rev. Rev. Larry Cunnings at 717-244-2605
Rev. Jonathan Jenkins 717-273-8567

Website: www.lr-elcf.org