Find a church in the ELCA tradition

Why this list looks the way it does

The ELCA belongs to the Lutheran World Federation, a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran churches that share pulpit and altar fellowship with one another — meaning a member of one is welcome to receive communion and worship fully in any other. This directory lists only LWF member churches, so every church here is in that same fellowship as the ELCA. Other Lutheran church bodies exist — some larger than the ELCA itself — but they are not part of this fellowship, and this directory does not point to them.

Each church is also labeled by how it shares communion, since LWF membership alone does not tell you what to expect at the altar on a first visit.

What's the difference between the ELCA and other Lutheran bodies like the LCMS?

The ELCA belongs to the Lutheran World Federation, a global fellowship of Lutheran churches in full communion with one another. Other bodies, including the LCMS (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod) and WELS, aren't members of that fellowship and aren't listed here, though they are also Lutheran. The differences are mainly in biblical interpretation, church fellowship, and social teaching.

Can I take communion at any church listed here?

Every church in this directory is in full communion with the ELCA, meaning a member of one is welcome at the altar of any other. Each listing is labeled by its own communion practice, since fellowship status alone doesn't tell you what to expect on a first visit.