Planting Lutheran Churches in the Evangelical Catholic Tradition
Who will go?
Worship with a joyful reverence
“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” (John 4:35).
Do you desire to see people reached with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ—and formed into congregations rooted in historic liturgical worship, grounded in Holy Scripture, and nourished by the life-giving Sacraments? If so, we would love to begin a conversation with you!
We are seeking to partner with men discerning a call to ministry and pastors already serving who long to plant new Lutheran churches in the great evangelical catholic tradition—churches that are Christ-centered, doctrinally faithful, sacramentally rich, and missionally bold.
We are looking for godly men—called by God, eager to grow, humble in spirit, resilient in labor, and ready to serve in new and growing congregations. Men who do not seek comfort or platforms, but faithfulness, sacrifice, and the slow, beautiful work of building Christ’s Church..
Priorities
❋ Christ
Our church plants are centered on Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, and reigning. He is not merely our example or inspiration, but our Savior, Lord, and the heart of every sermon, sacrament, and ministry. Everything we do flows from the conviction that Christ alone gives life, forgiveness, and hope to sinners.
❋ Scripture
We are anchored in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired, authoritative Word of God, through which the Lord reveals His will and proclaims His Gospel. Scripture shapes our preaching, doctrine, discipleship, and decision-making, guarding the church from drifting into cultural trends or theological confusion.
❋ Liturgical
Our worship is shaped by the historic Christian Liturgy, which forms believers through rhythm, reverence, Scripture, prayer, confession, and praise. Rather than chasing novelty, we embrace ancient patterns of worship that root congregations in the Church’s great story and cultivate spiritual depth across generations.
❋ Beauty
We believe beauty matters because it reflects the glory, order, and generosity of God. Our church plants seek to cultivate reverent worship, thoughtful architecture, sacred music, and meaningful aesthetics that lift hearts beyond the ordinary and toward the holiness of heaven. Beauty is not decoration, but a theological witness—helping form souls that love what is true, good, and enduring.
❋ Sacramental
We treasure the Sacraments of Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Private Absolution as God’s tangible means of grace, through which He delivers forgiveness, life, and salvation. Our church plants seek to be communities where God’s promises are not only preached but personally received, strengthening faith week after week.
❋ Historic
We joyfully embrace an evangelical-catholic identity—bold in proclaiming the Gospel of free grace in Christ, while remaining deeply rooted in the historic faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Our congregations hold together confessional Lutheran clarity, ancient Christian tradition, and missionary zeal, refusing both shallow innovation and stagnant traditionalism. We seek to be churches that are faithfully ancient and courageously contemporary.
❋ Mission
Flowing from Word and Sacrament, our congregations live with a clear missionary calling—to proclaim Christ, make disciples, serve the needy, and plant new churches. Mission is not a program on the side, but the overflow of a church deeply rooted in the Gospel and sent into the world to bear faithful witness.
❋ Spirit
We rely on the Holy Spirit, who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the Church through the Gospel. True renewal, faith, repentance, and growth do not come from human strategy alone, but from the Spirit’s gracious work in hearts and lives, creating living, resilient disciples of Jesus.
❋ Pastoral
Our church plants are shaped by a pastoral heart—marked by faithful preaching, patient shepherding, personal care, and sacramental presence. We believe pastors are called not merely to lead organizations, but to tend souls, walk with the suffering, teach the faithful, and guard the flock in love. Ministry is not transactional or distant, but relational, incarnational, and grounded in Christ’s gentle care for His people..
The Divine Service is not simply a reciting of formula but a true encounter with the glorified Christ. This means we worship with reverence and also a profound joy. Our Christian life is not only about theological adherence, or external adherence, but deeply rooted in a life of faith united to Christ in His Church.
We are grateful that we walk and serve together with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations towards this end and have a partnership with their Home Missions department.
Connect with us
If you are interested in planting a Lutheran church in the evangelical catholic tradition and desire to learn more or curious about partnership with others, we’d love to connect with you!
RESOURCES
Books:
Theology, Ecclesiology, Liturgy
Christ’s Church - Bo Giertz
Spirituality of the Cross - Gene Veith
Heaven on Earth - Author Just
For the Life of the World - Alexander Schmemann
Gathered Guest - Timothy Maschke
You Are What You Love - James Smith
Evangelical, Sacramental, and Pentecostal: Why the Church Should Be All Three - Gordon Smith
The Good of Giving Up - Aaron Damiana
Ever Ancient, Ever New - Bevins
Liturgical Mission - Bevins
Word and Sacrament - Dan Algers
The Lutheran Liturgy - Reed
Planting Strategy, Culture, Leadership
Center Church - Tim Keller
Designed to Lead - Eric Geiger
Ten Most Common Mistakes of New Church Starts - Griffith
Small Church Essentials - Karl Vaters
Launch - Searcy
The Honest Guide to Church Planting - Tom Bennardo
Planting Missional Churches - Ed Stezter
No Silver Bullets - Daniel Im
Articles:
Liturgy and Spiritual Awakening - Bo Giertz
The Neglected Means of Grace - Bo Giertz
Berthold von Schenk: Out of Step or Before His Times? - Paul Robert Sauer
Renewal of the Church from within the Church Itself: Gunner Rosendal’s Church Renewal - Oloph Bexell
The Catholic Movement in the Swedish Church - Gunnar Rosendal
Churchmen to Read:
Jaroslov Pelikan
Arthur Carl Piepkorn
Bo Giertz
Berthold Von Schenk
Hermann Sasse
Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe
Gunner Rosendal
Martin Chemnitz
Peter Leithart (Contemporary writer, non-Lutheran)
