Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is an association of outdoor ministry organizations, professionals, board members, businesses, and students connected to Lutheran camping, conferences, and retreats. Our programs reach God’s children of all ages though summer camping programs, retreat opportunities, hospitality, team building activities, and partnership with congregations. Our sites are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which states that “…outdoor ministries strive to strengthen, support and lift up the body of Christ through building relationships with others and with God while enjoying creation.” LOM is a vibrant and diverse community, committed to deepening faith – in rustic cabins and in state-of-the-art retreat centers, on mountaintops, on city streets, on ocean shores.
Outdoor ministries encourage spiritual growth for the whole person by providing encounter with scripture, experience and care of the environment, staff witness, and opportunities for worship, re-creation, and relationship development through intentional Christian community. Camp experiences are valuable.
Outdoor ministries help build skills necessary to prepare youth to assume roles as successful adults. Parents, campers, and camp staff report growth in areas such as self-confidence, independence, making friends, exploring and learning new activities, and spirituality. Camp provides growth experiences for youth that can benefit them through adulthood.
Outdoor ministries offer a wide variety of programs that provide growth experiences for people of all ages, many of whom become leaders in the church and their communities. The impact of outdoor ministries is far-reaching. In partnership with congregations, outdoor ministries strive to strengthen, support and lift up the body of Christ through building relationships with others and with God while enjoying creation.
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is a professional organization for camp and retreat center leaders. Camps and retreat centers encourage spiritual growth for the whole person through intentional Christian community. LOM is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LOM Has a Place for Everyone Around the Campfire! In all our programs, activities and events, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is committed to providing safe and inclusive environments that reflect the lessons Jesus taught us: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) LOM values diversity, opposes discrimination and promotes equal opportunity for all people, regardless of age, abilities, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or others who are often marginalized. We strive to ensure that all participants and staff are valued as unique individuals and can reach their full potential by living and working in a community of inclusion and mutual respect. As an association, we encourage our member organizations to do likewise.
We are:
- 118 outdoor ministry sites
- 88 outdoor ministry organizations
- 675 full time staff
- 4,000 summer staff
- 2,000 year round volunteers
- 30,000 acres of land
- 150,000 summer campers
- 275,000 fall/winter/spring campers and retreat guests
Click here for a summary of LOM importance
Click here to read about our mission, vision, and strategic plan
“Our Lutheran Outdoor Ministries provide places to engage people of all ages with the beauty of God’s creation and programs that enrich faith formation. These camping and retreat opportunities allow space and time for deeper reflection on relationships and promote unique leadership skills in young adults. Our church camps and retreat centers are a gift to the ministry of the ELCA and vitally important in the development of faith and care for creation.”
— ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
Membership Philosophy (Adopted by the LOM Board on January 8, 2016): Members are all outdoor ministry organizations affiliated with the ELCA, all of their board members and year-round staff; and individual donors to LOM who are not serving as staff or board members of LOM organizations. The services and resources of LOM are available to member organizations and individual members. Individual members have voice and vote at LOM meetings.
Benefits available to all LOM Individual and ELCA Outdoor Ministry Organizations:
- Annual Conference full of opportunities for education, networking, collaborating, and renewal
- Leadership Training Events including the Program Track to develop and deliver program and the Administrative Track for directors and executives.
- Board Training Events that strengthen boards and give a “bigger picture”
- Summer Program Curriculum filled with resources developed each year
- Transition Support to organizations through educating, training, and administering interim leaders as well as counseling boards in the process
- Executive Leadership Assistance with the ability to post resumes, job openings, job descriptions and to see and respond to job postings
- Advocacy by speaking on behalf of LOM Members to the ELCA and ministry partners within it; current and potential business partners – Thrivent Financial, Tech, Planning and Consulting; and Ecumenical and other partners and organizations – PCCCA, United Methodists, NCC, ACA
- Research and education in regards to trends and statistical information related to the network, the ELCA, our cultural context
- Mentoring for those entering OM or changing positions within their organizations or the network
- Member Benefit Providers give discounts for LOM members.