Basic History
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with other Lutheran churches, traces its roots directly to the Protestant Reformation that took place in Europe in the 16th century under the inspiration of Martin Luther, a German monk. By the late 1500s the Reformation had spread throughout Europe. Lutheran beliefs became widespread, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries.

The ELCA is the melding of three previous Lutheran denominations. It was organized in 1987 and began operations Jan. 1, 1988, bringing together The American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC).

The ALC and LCA came into being in the early 1960s as a result of mergers of eight smaller, ethnically- based Lutheran bodies composed of people whose heritages were German, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Slovak and others. The AELC was formed in 1976 from a doctrinal split in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The ELCA, through its predecessor bodies, was a founding member of the Lutheran World Federation, the World Council of Churches, and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Basic Beliefs
As indicated in the ELCA constitution, "This church 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." "Historical criticism," the practice of applying scriptural guidance to modern situations by first studying and understanding the Bible in the context of the times and places in which it was written, is used widely within this church. Infant baptism is practiced as a witness to the gift of love and forgiveness given to us by God in this sacrament apart from our deserving or choosing it. We practice open communion, inviting all baptized Christians to commune at the Lord's Supper who commune in their own congregations.

Other basic beliefs include confessing the three historic creeds: Apostles', Nicene and Athanasian; affirming the doctrine of justification by grace through faith as fundamental; supporting the authority of Scripture in the life of the Church; and belief in the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. The ELCA also subscribes to the historic Lutheran documents contained in the Book of Concord.

The ELCA has ordained women to the ministry of Word and Sacrament for more 30 years, and is ecumenical and global in nature, and initiates and supports social outreach programs both locally and globally.

This church has full communion agreements with several other denominations: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ, The Moravian Church in America and The Episcopal Church.

More information:
Questions on Christianity and Lutheranism are answered at:
www.archive.elca.org

The Web site of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: www.elca.org