Extraordinary Lutheran Minstries (ELM)
Our vision is to create, empower, and sustain a growing number of faith communities that are committed to the full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life and ministry of the Lutheran church.

This vision is rooted in Lutheran confessional history, liturgy, and practice. We share a commitment to our common Lutheran heritage and an expectation that our confessional tradition will illumine our current struggle to create joy, hope and faith where the institutional churches
have failed to do so.

Our unique calling is to expand ministry opportunities for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, with special attention given to those who have either been denied ministry or adversely affected in other significant ways by the existing policies and practices of discrimination and oppression.

Seminarian Scholarships & Clergy Debt Relief
Despite ELM’s good work over the years providing financial support to GLBTQ pastors and pastoral leaders, there is still a very real cost to Extraordinary pastors and seminarians who choose to be open and transparent about their sexuality.

One specific area is the rising costs of seminary. Some ELCA pastors have access to debt relief programs through various synods. These programs have started because many congregations and older pastors do not realize the current high cost of seminary. Some members of the ELM roster have seminary debt ranging in the tens of thousands of dollars.

We are aware that the proceeds from this project will not even put a dent in the need for seminary scholarships and debt relief. This project is predominantly an educational tool about the hidden costs of the discriminatory policy and the invaluable work of ELM supporting our ELM pastors and seminarians.

Please tell others about this project and visit www.elm.org