EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ELCA)
The ELCA should be avoided because:
- Ordains openly LGBTQ clergy including transgender bishops
- Performs and blesses same-sex marriages
- Departed from historic Lutheran confessional theology
- Uses progressive virtue signaling language
- Compromised on biblical authority
- Per "How to Find a Courageous Church": This is an apostate denomination
For faithful Lutheranism, consider LCMS, WELS, or NALC instead.
DENOMINATION BACKGROUND
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed in 1988 through the merger of the Lutheran Church in America, the American Lutheran Church, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.
The ELCA quickly moved in a progressive direction, adopting a policy allowing individual congregations to call partnered gay clergy in 2009. This led to the departure of many conservative congregations to form the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).
Today the ELCA is fully affirming of LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage, and has adopted progressive positions on many social issues.
The ELCA's progressive trajectory:
- 1988: Formation with already-liberal theological direction
- 1990s: Growing openness to LGBTQ inclusion
- 2009: Approved ordination of partnered gay clergy
- 2009-2010: Conservative congregations departed (formed NALC, joined LCMC)
- 2013: First transgender pastor ordained
- Present: Fully LGBTQ affirming, progressive social stances
The ELCA has moved far from historic Lutheran confessional theology, particularly on issues of biblical authority and sexuality.
Leaders of progressive direction:
- Mark Hanson: Presiding Bishop during 2009 sexuality vote
- Elizabeth Eaton: Current Presiding Bishop, first woman in role
- Megan Rohrer: First openly transgender bishop (2021)
Historical Lutheran leaders (before ELCA):
- C.F.W. Walther, Martin Luther - would not recognize ELCA theology
Note: These churches have departed from orthodox Christianity:
- Central Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, MN) - Progressive flagship
- Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (Atlanta, GA)
Many faithful ELCA congregations departed for NALC or LCMC after 2009.
