Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was officially constituted on April 30, 1987.  It united three predecessor church bodies: The American Lutheran Church, The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.  In the U.S., the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America traces its organizational roots to the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, which was founded in 1748 as the first Lutheran denomination in North America.  In 2002 there were 10,766 congregations with more than 5 million members.

Abortion: In a social statement approved in 1991, the church took the position that abortion is always a tragic option of last resort.  From an ethical point of view, a therapeutic abortion may be obtained in the following three circumstances: when the life of the mother is threatened, when the condition of the fetus is incompatible with life, and when the pregnancy has resulted from rape or incest.

Baptism: Baptism is administered to adults, children, and infants in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  In baptism, the candidate is united with the death and resurrection of Christ and receives the promises of forgiveness and eternal life.

Birth Control: Various forms of contraception are recognized as legitimate means of birth control.

Capital Punishment: In a social statement adopted in 1991, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declared its opposition to the death penalty on the basis of justice, the need to minister to those affected by violent crime, and because of the death penalty's inconsistent record of use.

Christ's Return: In concert with the witness of the Holy Scriptures and the tradition of the church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America looks and prays for the return of Christ, who will judge both the just and sinners and will establish a new heaven and a new earth.

Communion: With Lutherans throughout the world, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America confesses that the crucified and risen Christ is present in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion.  It offers those who receive his body and blood the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Creation vs. Evolution: As a matter of faith, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America holds the position that God, through Christ the Word, has created the world and all that is in it, and he continues to sustain this creation by grace.  The means by which God accomplishes this creative activity is open to scientific investigation.

Deity of Jesus: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America states in its confession of faith that Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.

Distinguishing Beliefs/Practices: The church consists of those people who gather around the preaching of the Word of God and the celebration of the sacraments.  Through these means God bestows saving grace to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world.

Divorce and Remarriage: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recognizes that divorce is often a tragic necessity when, as a result of sin, a marriage is no longer viable.  Those who obtain a divorce are encouraged to recognize their own contributions to the failure of the marriage.  Divorced persons may remarry in the church.

Euthanasia: In 1992 the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted a message on end-of-life decisions, which states that, "As a church we affirm that deliberately destroying life created in the image of God is contrary to our Christian conscience."

Government: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recognizes three major expressions: congregations, synods, and the church-wide organization.  Congregations normally are led by pastors together with a congregational council that acts on behalf of all the members of the congregation.  In most cases the congregation conducts an annual meeting for the purpose of deciding crucial issues.  Congregations are gathered into one of 65 synods, whose chief pastor is a bishop elected to a six-year term.  Together with the Synod Council, which meets several times a year, the bishop provides leadership to the Synod, which meets annually in assembly.  A presiding bishop who is elected to a six-year term by a biennial churchwide assembly, the highest legislative authority in the ELCA, leads the churchwide organization, based in Chicago, IL.  Between meetings of the churchwide assembly, the Church Council, meeting semiannually, provides direction for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Heaven/Hell: Based upon the ancient creeds of the Christian church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America holds a belief in both heaven and hell.  It confesses that heaven is the dwelling place of God, from which Christ descended when he became incarnate and to which he returned following his earthly ministry, death, and resurrection.  Hell is conceived as the place of the dead and the lost who are separated from the presence of God.

Homosexuality: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, by action of the 1995 churchwide assembly and the Conference of Bishops, has issued a statement in which it urges gay and lesbian persons to become active members of the congregations of the church.  The ELCA advocates on behalf of gay and lesbian persons in matters of justice and equal treatment under the law.  The ELCA requires that gay and lesbian persons who are ordained ministers of the church remain celibate.

Inspiration of Scripture: In its confession of faith, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life.

Miracles: The ELCA recognizes that events that have no logical or scientific explanation, which are appropriately called miracles, have been attested to in Scripture.  In the same way, there is evidence of healing in persons suffering from terminal diseases which also cannot be explained.

Restrictions:  According to the constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions of the ELCA, after January 1, 1988, no ordained ministers of this church may seek membership in a non-church organization which claims to possess in its teaching and ceremonies that which the Lord has given solely to the church.

Security of Salvation: The ELCA teaches, with regard to Holy Baptism, that the baptized person enters a voluntary relationship with God, who promises always to offer grace and love.  An individual may, however, choose to reject this covenant of forgiveness and grace.

Speaking in Tongues and Other Gifts of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit is active in the church, guiding its faith and life, and empowering the members of the church to engage in their ministries of love and service.  These gifts may include speaking in tongues, prophecy, and interpretation of tongues, although not many members of the ELCA would claim to have received these gifts.

Trinity: The ELCA confesses the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Women in Ministry: By action of its predecessor church bodies, the ELCA has welcomed women into the ministry since 1970.
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For more information contact:
Evalgelical Lutheran Church of America
8765 W. Higgins Rd.
Chicago, IL 6063-4198
Phone: (773) 380-2809
Fax: (773) 380-2977
E-mail: info@elca.org
Web site: www.elca.org 

Church information from The 60-Second Guide to Denominations: Understanding Protestant Churches of North America (2003) by Shelly Steig, Published by World Bible Publishers, Inc.  Iowa Falls, Iowa