The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. With over 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 congregations across the 50 states and Caribbean region, the ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States.
The ELCA came into existence in 1988 through a merger of three Lutheran church bodies – the American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) and the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). Each of these predecessor churches traced their roots back to European immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The theology and doctrine of the ELCA is rooted in the teachings of Martin Luther and other 16th century Lutheran reformers. The ELCA subscribes to the unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the Gospel. Key Lutheran theological concepts affirmed by the ELCA include:
- Salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ – Ephesians 2:8-9
- Authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16
- Importance of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion – Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Priesthood of all believers – 1 Peter 2:9
- Law and Gospel distinction in Scripture – Romans 3:20-24
The ELCA confesses the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – as expressed in the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian creeds. Jesus Christ is affirmed as true God and true man, who came to reconcile humanity to the Father.
As a Lutheran church body, the ELCA believes that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Good works and obedience to God’s commands are understood as fruits of faith, not a means of salvation. The emphasis is on God’s unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness to humanity.
The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are viewed as the inspired and authoritative Word of God by the ELCA. Scripture is the basis for all doctrine and teaching. Bible study and interpretation are encouraged as believers seek to understand God’s revelation and apply it to daily life.
The ELCA upholds the Lutheran understanding of the sacraments as ” Means of Grace.” God’s grace and forgiveness are extended to believers through the physical elements of water, bread and wine. Baptism and Holy Communion are administered in ELCA congregations.
As a church in the Reformation tradition, the ELCA embraces Luther’s idea of the “priesthood of all believers.” Lay people have an important role in the life and ministry of the church. Leadership is seen as a function or office, rather than a superior spiritual status.
The distinction between Law and Gospel is an important Lutheran theological perspective. The Law shows our sin and need for forgiveness. The Gospel reveals God’s unconditional love and promises of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection.
In summary, the ELCA proclaims historic Lutheran theology with an emphasis on God’s amazing grace, Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the authority of Scripture and the inclusion of all baptized believers in God’s mission to the world.
Church Governance and Leadership
The ELCA practices shared governance between lay members, ordained clergy and bishops. The denomination’s structure allows for diversity in local congregations while maintaining unity on important matters of faith and doctrine.
At the national level, the chief legislative authority is the Churchwide Assembly which meets biennially. It is composed of elected lay and ordained voting members from the regional synods. The Churchwide Assembly elects the denomination’s Presiding Bishop to a 6-year term. The current Presiding Bishop is Elizabeth Eaton, first elected in 2013.
Below the national level are 65 synodical offices, led by a Synod Bishop elected to a 6-year term by Synod Assemblies. Synods oversee conferences, clusters and coalitions of local ELCA congregations within a defined geographic area.
At the congregational level, ELCA churches are self-governed with organizational flexibility. Local congregations call their own pastors from ELCA clergy roster, approve budgets, make program decisions and set ministry priorities. Congregations own church property and determine their own mission outreach.
Lay members are involved at all levels of ELCA, serving on committees and decision-making bodies. Both men and women are eligible for ordained ministry and serve as pastors in ELCA congregations.
While diverse in local practice, ELCA churches unite around shared identity, mission and cooperative ministry. Connectional relationship and interdependence among congregations is an important principle.
Social Views and Advocacy
Guided by the biblical values of compassion, peacemaking and justice, the ELCA actively engages on important social issues and concerns. The denomination’s social statements, messages and resolutions cover topics like:
- Care for God’s creation – environmental stewardship
- Human rights – death penalty, gender justice, immigration, racism
- Peacemaking – conflict prevention, violence, war
- Economic life – poverty, property, work
- Health and healthcare – mental health, genetics, substance abuse
- Sexuality – LGBTQ inclusion, same-gender unions, marriage
While social statements outline the ELCA’s perspectives, individual members hold diverse views on some controversal matters. Congregations and pastors have considerable freedom in ministry application.
In 2009, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to allow pastors to perform same-gender marriage ceremonies and ordain practicing members of the LGBTQ community. Some Lutheran congregations left the ELCA after these policy changes.
The ELCA advocates for public policies aligned with its social policy priorities. This includes lobbying elected officials, organizing public campaigns, supporting community organizing and lifting up grassroots leaders.
The church is also involved in direct services and partnerships. Areas of impact include hunger relief, disaster response, immigration assistance, anti-poverty programs, health services, prison ministry, education, advocacy for women and children and more.
Faithful citizenship that promotes justice and peace is viewed as an expression of discipleship. The ELCA hopes its collective voice and resources can contribute to greater human dignity in society.
Ecumenical Relationships and Interfaith Work
As part of its commitment to Christian unity, the ELCA actively participates in ecumenical dialogues and shared ministries. This connects the denomination with other Christian churches to foster understanding and cooperation.
The ELCA has close ties with other major Lutheran groups like the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and global Lutheran bodies. It is in full communion partnership with the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church in America and United Methodist Church.
Full communion means mutual recognition of baptism and membership, joint worship and service, interchangeability of clergy and full sharing of Holy Communion. Local ecumenical shared ministries are encouraged.
Through ecumenical dialogues, the ELCA converses with Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal and Evangelical communities to look for common ground while acknowledging differences.
Interfaith relationships are another important part of the ELCA’s outreach. Cooperation and understanding between religions is championed. Respectful witness among people of other faiths rejects proselytization and coercion.
Affirming God’s love for all people, the ELCA promotes interreligious dialogue and joint social action. It also provides resources to equip Lutherans for sensitive ministry in religiously diverse contexts.
Mission Work and Education
Participating in God’s mission is a key emphasis in the ELCA. Mission work shares the Gospel, serves those in need and strives for justice and peace across communities.
Hundreds of ELCA missionaries and personnel serve internationally through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They stand with global churches and companions to build capacity and deliver relief and development programs.
Within the United States, ELCA members carry out vital ministries with marginalized groups like migrants, refugees, people of color and incarcerated individuals. Efforts seek racial healing and dismantle systems of oppression.
In local congregations, members are equipped for daily life witness and discipleship where God has placed them – family, workplace, neighborhood and networks. The aim is to share God’s love through word and deed.
ELCA Global Mission stands with Lutherans, partners and churches in nearly 90 countries around the world. This global connectivity enhances mutual learning and ministry.
Education is another mission horizon. The ELCA oversees 26 colleges and universities across the country, grounded in Lutheran identity and values. Camps, seminaries, campus ministries, schools and youth programs teach new generations.
Media outreach tools like podcasts, TV and radio programs, publications and websites also advance the church’s education and storytelling mission. Augsburg Fortress publishes books on faith topics.
Membership Profile and Community Life
With around 3.3 million baptized members, the ELCA is a predominantly white (90%) and older (average age 60) denomination. New community outreach efforts seek to increase racial and generational diversity.
The majority of ELCA members are concentrated in the Upper Midwest and Northeast regions. Lutherans from Scandinavian and Germanic immigrant backgrounds make up a large percentage historically.
Worship in ELCA congregations is grounded in the liturgical Lutheran heritage, while also incorporating diverse styles and expressions. Biblical preaching, Communion, prayers, music and the arts enrich gatherings.
Many churches have fellowship hours to build relationships and community. Members care for one another through small groups, service teams, youth programs, Bible studies and discipleship ministries.
Children, youth and family ministry provides faith formation across generations. Camps, youth gatherings and campus ministries help nurture young disciples. Older adult forums support spiritual growth.
Lay involvement is high across ELCA congregations with members using their unique gifts. Volunteering to serve inside and outside church walls is encouraged as an act of discipleship.
While traditional Lutheran identity remains, some churches are adapting to reach contemporary audiences through updated programming, worship styles and outreach methods.
Conclusion
In summary, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is one of the largest mainline Protestant denominations in America. Grounded in historic Lutheran theology and practice, the ELCA is also actively engaging the modern world with a message of grace.
The church proclaims Christ’s redemptive love, builds an inclusive community, equips members for daily witness and advocates for justice and peace. While challenges are faced, the ELCA moves into the future guided by faith.