The ELCA has committed itself to starting an increasing number of new congregations.
In fact the ELCA Evangelism Strategy upholds starting and renewing congregations as a main objective:

Called by God in baptism and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America calls upon its members, congregations, synods, churchwide ministries, and related institutions and agencies to seek opportunities to strengthen partnerships throughout this church for starting new congregations and renewing existing congregations as centers of service and witness, inviting all to faith in Jesus Christ.

Goal: Increase the number of ELCA congregations and ministry sites that are growing spiritually and numerically.

Why do we want to start additional congregations?
As people of faith, aware of the abundant life available to us in Jesus Christ, we want to share that new life with others. We pray that many, who don’t currently know Jesus, will become faithful disciples. We expect that the many people across this country who are seeking meaning in their lives will discover that meaning in a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

And, as demographics change, new opportunities develop for reaching people with the message of Good News of Jesus Christ. We are, therefore, developing congregations in communities where:

1. the overall population is increasing,
2. the population is undergoing ethnic change, and/or
3. the Lutheran Church has not previously been significantly represented.

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