What is the ELCA?
ELCA stands for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — the largest Lutheran church body in the United States, and the tradition this site is aligned with, though not an official ELCA entity itself.
The ELCA was formed in 1988 by the merger of three predecessor churches: the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. It's a member of the Lutheran World Federation, a global fellowship of Lutheran churches in more than 90 countries.
How it differs from other Lutheran bodies
"Lutheran" isn't one organization. In the United States alone, the ELCA, the LCMS (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod), and WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) are the three largest bodies, and they aren't in fellowship with one another. The ELCA generally takes a more historical-critical approach to biblical interpretation, ordains women and LGBTQ+ people to the pastorate, and has pursued full communion agreements with several other Christian traditions, including the Episcopal Church and the Reformed Church in America. The LCMS and WELS hold more traditionally conservative positions on biblical interpretation and ordination, and remain outside those fellowship agreements.
This site's own scope
Digital Lutheran Church is aligned with the ELCA tradition but is not an official ELCA entity. The Find a Church directory is scoped to churches in full communion with the ELCA through the Lutheran World Federation, which is why some Lutheran bodies you may have heard of, including the LCMS, aren't listed there.
Questions people ask
- What does ELCA stand for?
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It's the largest Lutheran church body in the United States, formed in 1988 by the merger of three predecessor Lutheran churches.
- Is the ELCA the same as the Lutheran Church in general?
- No. The ELCA is one Lutheran body among several in the U.S., alongside the LCMS and WELS. All trace their roots to Martin Luther and the Reformation, but differ in doctrine, practice, and fellowship.
- What makes the ELCA different from the LCMS?
- The ELCA takes a more historical-critical approach to Scripture, ordains women, and holds full communion agreements with several other denominations. The LCMS holds more traditional positions on interpretation and ordination and isn't in those fellowship agreements.
- Is the ELCA part of a worldwide church?
- Yes. The ELCA belongs to the Lutheran World Federation, a global communion of Lutheran churches in more than 90 countries in full communion with one another.