WASHINGTON -- Results from a national survey of its congregations have prompted the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to focus on reaching a more diverse group. The survey shows that a majority of those who attend ELCA congregations are white women, according to an ELCA news release.
"We need to understand our need to be diverse," said Martin Smith, senior research analyst for the denomination's Department for Research and Evaluation. "Evangelism is a high priority issue."
Ninety-three percent of those attending ELCA worship services are Caucasian, according to the national survey of 420 ELCA congregations. The survey was part of the U.S. Congregational Life Survey project, a nationwide interfaith study of 43,463 congregations. The project was funded by a $1.3 million Lilly Endowment grant.
More than 40 percent of those who attend ELCA churches have been members of the congregation for more than 20 years, according to the release.
Smith said the denomination is still reviewing the results and comparing them with other denominations and the survey's national results. The church plans to develop an evangelism strategy based on its findings.
