Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, removed from the ELCA roster of congregations
Iowa City, Iowa (July 13, 2024) – On Saturday, July 13, the Synod Council of the Southeastern Iowa Synod voted to remove Lutheran Church of Hope, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, from the roster of congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The Synod Council is the governing board of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, one of 65 synods in the ELCA.
The Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, recommended that Lutheran Church of Hope be removed from the roster of congregations. The bishop took this action after conversation in recent months with the Rev. Mike Housholder, senior pastor of LCOH, regarding seven pastors currently serving on LCOH staff who are not on the roster of the ELCA or any of its full communion partners, which conflicts with the ELCA constitution. This was an amicable and mutual departure.
“Lutheran Church of Hope is a vibrant congregation with deeply Lutheran theology, and is full of individuals who serve their neighbor and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod. “This decision is a result of the reality that Lutheran Church of Hope and the ELCA constitution no longer align.”
About the Southeastern Iowa Synod
The Southeastern Iowa Synod is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. A network of 133 congregations, campus ministries and other worshiping communities, the synod comprises 38 counties throughout central and southeastern Iowa. Its purpose is to unite the work of congregations, provide regional support and strengthen ongoing local ministries.
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Valerie Harlynn, Associate for Communications
Southeastern Iowa Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
communications@seiasynod.org
319-338-1273
www.seiasynod.org