Core Beliefs
Belonging
At Good Shepherd, we believe belonging is a sacred gift. As part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)—one of the largest denominations in the U.S., with over 3.7 million members and 10,000 congregations—we are both challenged and supported in living out our faith.
The church is grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and shaped by the shared mission, vision, and purpose of the ELCA. We’re proud to be one of 74 congregations in the La Crosse Area Synod, working together to serve our neighbors locally and globally through worship, service, advocacy, and compassion.
What We Believe
As an ELCA congregation, our beliefs reflect a deep trust in God’s grace and a commitment to living faithfully in the world. We affirm:
In the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That God created and loves all of creation, providing for us through the earth and our relationships with one another.
That through Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, our brokenness is healed and we are made whole.
That the Church is a vessel of God’s grace, called to bring compassion, healing, and hope to a hurting world.
That the Holy Spirit inspires us toward lives of gratitude, kindness, and generosity.
That worship connects us to God and to the Church across all times and places.
That Scripture draws us deeper into God’s story through reading, study, prayer, and reflection.
That the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion offer us life, forgiveness, and renewal.
That the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds express the shared faith of Christians across history and cultures.
Learn more about our core values.