Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a mainline Protestant church and the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. It was officially formed on January 1, 1988, through the merger of three Lutheran church bodies: the American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) [1][3].

History

Origins of Lutheranism in the US

Lutheranism in the United States grew out of immigration waves from Europe, particularly Scandinavia and Germany. Early Lutheran immigrants formed various congregations that later coalesced into larger synods. One of the significant mergers prior to the ELCA was the formation of the American Lutheran Church in 1960, which combined Lutheran churches of different ethnic backgrounds, including German and Danish [2][5].

Formation of the ELCA

The ELCA itself resulted from discussions and agreements among the ALC, LCA, and AELC in the 1980s. The AELC was formed in 1976 by churches leaving the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) due to theological differences. The formal constituting convention for the ELCA took place on April 30, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, with operations beginning on January 1, 1988 [1][3].

Structure and Governance

The ELCA operates under a modified episcopal polity with some powers reserved to congregations, similar to congregationalism. It is led by a presiding bishop and divided into sixty-five regional synods, each headed by a bishop. The Churchwide Assembly, comprising clergy and lay members, is responsible for determining church policy. The ELCA's constitution stipulates that 60% of the assembly membership must be lay individuals [1][3].

Membership and Congregations

As of December 31, 2023, the ELCA has approximately 2.79 million baptized members in about 8,498 congregations across the United States and the Caribbean. Despite being the largest Lutheran denomination in the US, it faces declining membership trends similar to other mainline Protestant churches [1][3].

Theological and Social Stances

The ELCA is known for its progressive stance on social issues, including the ordination of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. It emphasizes an inclusive theology and maintains traditional Lutheran beliefs on sacraments such as baptism and communion. The church is involved in extensive missionary work globally and participates in international ecumenical organizations like the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches [1][3].

Social Justice and Ecumenical Relations

The ELCA is committed to social justice and engages in various initiatives to address issues such as child protection, racism, and immigration policies. It has full communion relationships with several other Christian denominations, including the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA) [1][3][4].

Education and Affiliations

The ELCA is associated with numerous educational institutions, including seminaries and colleges that provide theological and liberal arts education. The church also supports various programs aimed at community service and social welfare [3][4].