Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Formed in 1988 from three Lutheran bodies. It is the largest U.S.
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Lutheran church. Holds a quatenus ("insofar as") view of the Book of Concord.
- U.S. size
- ≈ 2.8 million baptized (ELCA statistics, 2023 (approx))
- Founded
- 1988 merger
- Church government
- Synodical, with bishops
- Ordains women as pastors
- Yes
- Official website
- ELCAwww.elca.org
- Statement of faith
- ELCABeliefs
What They Confess (Free)
Their own words. Free to read, no login.
Core Beliefs
| Topic | What they teach | Scripture they cite |
|---|---|---|
| Scripture & authority | Scripture alone is the norm. The Book of Concord is accepted as a faithful exposition of it (quia, 'because'). | 2 Tim 3:16-17; Gal 1:8 |
| Salvation | By grace alone through faith alone, for Christ's sake. We are justified, and good works follow as fruit. | Rom 3:23-28; Eph 2:8-9 |
| Baptism | A means of grace that gives forgiveness and new birth. Infants are baptized. | Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38-39; 1 Pet 3:21 |
| Lord's Supper | The true Body and Blood of Christ in, with and under the bread and wine (Real Presence), for the forgiveness of sins. | Matt 26:26-28; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:27-29 |
| Worship | Liturgical, following the historic Mass form and church year. | 1 Cor 14:40; Col 3:16 |
| Mary & saints | Mary is honored as Mother of God and the saints as examples. They are not invoked in prayer. | Luke 1:48; 1 Tim 2:5 |
| Spiritual gifts | God works through Word and Sacrament. Sign-gifts are not expected as normative. | Rom 10:17; 1 Cor 12 |
About these numbers: figures are approximate and come from each body's own most recent report or the National Council of Churches' Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. Bodies count members differently (baptized, confirmed, adherents, publishers), and some historically Black denominations have not published new figures in years. See also the Pew Religious Landscape Study and the ARDA. Belief summaries are our own short descriptions. Please read each church's own confession.
Compare All 25 What Church Fits Me?
Recommended by the ELCA
From this church's own publishing houses, leaders and recommended-reading pages.
Ecclesiastical History
Eusebius of Caesarea, Bishop of Caesarea, G. Williamson
Augsburg Fortress
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An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism: A Handbook for the Catechetical Class
Joseph Stump, Martin Luther Dr
Augsburg Fortress
View on Amazon
Rechtgläubigkeit Und Ketzerei Im Ältesten Christentum
Bauer, Walter, Walter Bauer
Augsburg Fortress
View on Amazon
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Official Sites
Straight from the church: national and worldwide.