The largest Lutheran church in America is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It was formed on January 1, 1988, as a result of the merger of three Lutheran church bodies: the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), the American Lutheran Church (ALC), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC).
The Lutheran Church in America was established in 1962 when four Lutheran denominations came together: the United Lutheran Church in America, the American Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The LCA was known for its commitment to social justice and its involvement in ecumenical dialogues.
The American Lutheran Church (ALC) was formed in 1960 through the merger of three Lutheran bodies: the American Lutheran Church (1930), the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (1896), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church (1918). The ALC emphasized the importance of congregational autonomy and had a strong presence in the Midwest.
The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) was the youngest of the three bodies, having been established in 1976. It was a result of a merger between the American Lutheran Church (1960) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The AELC placed a strong emphasis on evangelism and outreach.
The merger of these three bodies in 1988 created the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which today is the largest Lutheran church body in the United States. The ELCA has over 3.3 million baptized members and approximately 9,000 congregations across the country. It is known for its commitment to social justice, ecumenical relations, and global mission work.
Personally, as a member of the ELCA, I have witnessed the diversity and inclusivity of the church. The ELCA welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and strives to create a sense of community and belonging for everyone. The church’s emphasis on social justice and advocacy for marginalized groups has been a significant aspect of my own faith journey.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is the largest Lutheran church in America. It was formed in 1988 through the merger of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), the American Lutheran Church (ALC), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC). The ELCA is known for its commitment to social justice, ecumenical relations, and global mission work.