Mission Statement
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries encourages, educates, equips, and empowers bold and faithful outdoor ministry leaders for service in the Church and the world.
Vision Statement
Strong, faith-led outdoor ministries led by capable servant leaders.
Core Value Statements
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries values…
- the power of the Holy Spirit calling us to faithfully witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in outdoor and service learning centers. We seek to be Christ-centered and theologically grounded.
- its commitment to walk faithfully with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other churches as they seek to express their faith and witness in a changing world. We seek to be an integral partner in mission.
- its understanding that God calls us to serve all people. We seek to be diverse and inclusive.
- its openness to grow in faith, spirit, and vision to respond to the changing needs of our church and community through exciting, nurturing programs. We seek to be innovative, timely, intentional, and creative.
- its commitment to strengthen relationships within and beyond the outdoor ministry network. We seek to be a connecting point for people, grounded in relationships.
- its dedication to educational excellence. We seek to be a provider of education, support and consultation for outdoor ministry sites and leaders.
- its emphasis on hospitality. We seek to practice servanthood, discipleship, and creation stewardship.
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.
Anti-Racism Statement from the Board of Directors for LOM:
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) commits to being an anti-racist association. As followers of Jesus Christ, LOM deeply believes that love and justice are at the core of our mission and ministries. We commit to the constant ongoing work of anti-racism. We believe unequivocally that Black Lives Matter. We condemn the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. We stand in solidarity with protestors doing the hard work of love in action. For LOM, the hard work will include identifying, discussing, and challenging issues of race and color, along with the impacts they have on LOM, its member organizations, its systems, and its people. Admittedly, LOM is a network made up of imperfect organizations and individuals. As such, we acknowledge that racist actions can be conscious/intentional or unconscious/unintentional. We also acknowledge that identifying racism as an issue does not automatically mean those involved in the act are intentionally racist or intending for a negative impact. We commit to identifying and correcting any inequities we discover and developing a better understanding of ourselves during this purposeful process. We resolve to explicitly and publicly affirm anti-racism as an important part of our identity.
Community Expectations Agreement for LOM Events, Gatherings and Activities
This document was refined at the 2025 LOM Leaders Forum. It is a work in progress, and this statement represents the agreement as of February 6, 2025.
Introduction
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries’ (LOM) mission is to educate, empower, equip, and empower bold and faithful leaders. Further, when LOM gathers, it seeks to create Christ-like hospitality by centering marginalized voices. The following Core Values define our Community Expectations.
Community Core Values
- Inclusivity and Respect
- We value the inherent uniqueness of every person. Our diversity includes age, race, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, class, socio-economic status, abilities, disabilities, family structure, ethnic background, and other characteristics that make our community unique. We strive to create an environment and community that is inclusive and respectful. This includes using language and behaviors that reflect our commitment to this value.
- Accountability and Restoration
- We value the power of accountability experienced in community. With a spirit of restoration2, we commit to interrupting and addressing lapses in expectations in solidarity with those harmed.
- Learning and Growth
- We value a growth mindset and commit to continuous learning as an evolving community. We accept that learning takes time. We commit to the ongoing work that being in community requires.
Violations of Community Expectations
As Romans 7:193 reminds us, we know that there will be times when these expectations are not followed. Our hope is to promote growth while protecting community trust by thoughtfully addressing violations in specific ways including the following.
- Reporting Violations
- If you witness or experience inappropriate behavior, report it to the event leader or the Executive Director. They will engage the intervention team member onsite to accompany the reporter.
- Responding to Reports
- The LOM Leadership Team1 will immediately start the process of addressing issues as they are reported to ensure the reporter is heard and supported. The process will involve dialogue and education. Restoration2 in a trusted community is a desired long-term outcome. We understand that this process involves deep and intentional work.
- Implementing Consequences
- Our goal, through truth in love, is to prioritize creating the safest community possible. Violations of community expectations will be addressed with the hope of moving toward repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. We recognize that at times that may mean one or more actions like the following will be used.
- Confession
- Corrective Conversation
- Education
- Time Apart (short or long term)
- Verbal Warning
- Documentation
- Dialogue with LOM Leadership
- Our goal, through truth in love, is to prioritize creating the safest community possible. Violations of community expectations will be addressed with the hope of moving toward repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. We recognize that at times that may mean one or more actions like the following will be used.
Commitment to Improvement
- Education and Action
- We commit to ongoing learning and responding when harm is done.
- Living Document
- These Community Expectations may be updated as we grow. Updates will be communicated to all LOM participants.
Statement by LOM Board of Directors, adopted January 14, 2021
The divisiveness, turmoil, and conflict that our nation is currently experiencing, and that was so explicitly on display with the assault on the United States Capitol on the Day of Epiphany 2021 heightens the necessity for bold and faithful leaders for service in the church and the world. Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) seeks to encourage, educate, equip, and empower bold and faithful outdoor ministry leaders for service in the church and the world. LOM affirms the social statements of the ELCA and condemns acts of violence, racist ideology, and assaults on democratic institutions. As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe deeply that love and justice are at the core of our mission and ministry. We believe that the name of Christ cannot be used to justify actions of hatred and racism. Outdoor ministry sites are spaces to come together and reconcile our differences. LOM remains committed to appreciation of diversity, promoting greater equality in our society, and reconciliation among groups with divergent viewpoints.
Strategic Plan
Click here for a brochure about our strategic plan