“Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world.”
Our Mission Statement offers a clear snapshot of our greater belief system as a worshipping community in the heart of downtown Mankato. We believe God’s love is for all of God’s people. (See Welcome Statement by scrolling down.)
Bethlehem is committed to welcoming all people, just as they are, with no expectation of change. In line with the ELCA, our governing synod, “[We] confess the Triune God — Father/[Parent], Son/[Child], and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.”
We believe our work as God’s people does not reside in a building. We believe in serving others freely and generously, in organized missions and in our daily lives.
A Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity
Bethlehem has had the goal of becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 2016. A formal process of education and discernment began 2018. A congregational vote was held on Sunday, November 15th, 2020, and our new Welcome Statement (below) passed with 97% approval. We are proud to be included on the growing list of RIC churches in Minnesota.
In June of 2020, our church participated in a church-wide book study of Rev. Lenny Duncan’s great work, “Dear Church: A Love Letter to the Whitest Denomination in America from a Black Preacher.” We began an in-depth look at ways our church has failed black people, indigenous people, and non-black people of color. In August of 2020, the church council voted to form a Racial Justice Ministry. We believe God’s love is for all, and our responsibility as Christians extends to ensuring all God’s people be treated with fairness and love throughout the world. We look forward to the challenge of this most important work.
Welcome Statement
(Approved on November 15, 2020, Revised August 2022)
“Bethlehem is an inviting congregation with its doors open to all people. We joyfully affirm that every person is a Child of God. We believe we are one body with many diverse members.
We welcome all who desire to learn more about Jesus—seekers, doubters, and inquirers alike. We strive to include people of every race, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, nationality, spoken language, ethnicity, immigration status, physical condition, size, level of chemical use/abuse/dependence, neurodiverse function, mental health condition, appearance, marital status, family configuration, political affiliation, criminal history, economic circumstance, level of education, housing situation, theological background, and other intersection of life.
The world can be an unloving place, and the experience of alienation is all too common. To those who have felt excluded here or elsewhere, we are deeply sorry, and extend our warm welcome in Christ's love. We are a community committed to racial equity and social justice. Everyone is invited to join and fully participate in the daily life and mission of the Bethlehem community.
Together we are better able to love our neighbors and serve God’s world. Together we are better able to learn and share God’s word. Together we are better.”
Learn more about the Reconciling Works program here: reconcilingworks.org/about/