Vision Statement

We’re  a movement and view the local church as the place where people in the community come to get connected with God and one another. Then the real connections begin outside the walls, in the community.  We celebrate the fact that that everyone has special gifts; it allows each and every one of us to serve according to our own unique strengths, skills and talents.  Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church  was organized in 1874 and in December 2019 we celebrate our 145th year here in Marshall county, Kansas, "A Great Past and a Glorius Future".    

- In Romans 6, Paul explains that those who follow Jesus receive God’s grace and are freed from being burdened by their sin. We celebrate this freedom.  We also place a great emphasis on understanding what it means to follow Jesus, and then do it.  We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to ministry because different communities often have different needs, backgrounds and cultures.  Rather than micromanaging what they do, we give our members the freedom to be creative in how they do ministry, working together to transform the lives of others others and fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus set forth in Matthew 28.    “ accountability" happens in when pastors and congregations interact.  This unfolds a “mutual accountability” that happens on a much more personal level.  This is the highest form of accountability — where it is carried out among those who know, love and respect one another.

We strive to be a light to the world, not a reflection of it.  We view God’s word as the #1 authority when it comes to our faith and how we practice it.  While we understand that science, personal experience, tradition and other factors contribute to the conversations that we have, we do not believe that they have equal influence to what’s written in the Scriptures.   We believe the Lutheran Confessions to be a faithful witness to the truth of Scripture.

God gave no gender exclusions in mandating that His disciples, who were commissioned as missionaries, men and women, Matthew 28: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo , I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

We offer open communion to all Christians in worship services every 1st and 3rd Sundays.  "We invite all who have professed a faith in Christ to join us at the table."

"We affirm that God created us male and female, and that it is God's will and intention that human sexual expression and fulfillment take place only within the boundaries of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:4-6; and Mark 10:2-9). And, we confess as individuals and as congregations that we have not fulfilled God's will in our decisions, modeling, and teaching."

If you are new to the area, if your faith is moving you in a different direction, if you have worshipped at Salem in past year, we invite you to the Church.  Listen to the Words and participate in the actions of our Jesus led congregation. 

There are many ways to get connected with Salem! Contact our office at 785-736-2810 (office not staffed daily but we will return calls as soon as possible)  or send us an email at salemlc@bluevalley.net  (best choice for prompt reply).