There is no definitive number available for the exact count of churches that have left the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The organization has experienced some congregations departing over theological disagreements, but an exact tally is not easily determined.
Detailed response
The exact number of churches that have left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) cannot be definitively determined. While the organization has experienced some congregations departing over theological disagreements, tracking and quantifying these departures is a complex task. However, it is worth noting some interesting facts and a quote related to this topic.
Interesting facts about churches leaving the ELCA:
- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, with approximately 3.3 million baptized members in nearly 9,000 congregations.
- The ELCA was formed in 1988 through the merger of three Lutheran church bodies: the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.
- The ELCA is known for its inclusive stance on various social issues, including human sexuality and the ordination of openly LGBTQ+ clergy, which has been a point of contention for some member churches.
- Some congregations have chosen to leave the ELCA due to theological disagreements or dissatisfaction with the denomination’s positions on certain matters, such as scriptural interpretation and church doctrine.
- The departures of churches from the ELCA have led to the establishment of various Lutheran splinter groups, such as the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
A relevant quote on this topic:
“The church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.” – Henry Ward Beecher, American Congregationalist clergyman and social reformer.
While it is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of the churches that have left the ELCA, the following table provides a glimpse of a few notable churches or organizations that have departed from the denomination:
| Church/Organization | Reason for Departure |
|---|---|
| Church of the Lutheran Brethren | Concerns over theological differences and direction of the ELCA |
| Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) | Issues related to scriptural interpretation and ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy |
| WordAlone Network | Disagreements over theological stances and concerns about the ELCA’s inclusivity |
Please note that this table is not exhaustive and represents only a small fraction of the churches and organizations that have left the ELCA. The actual number of departures may vary and is subject to change over time as different churches reassess their denominational affiliations.
Response via video
This YouTube video discusses the decline of Mainline Protestant churches in the United States, which were once the mainstream Protestant churches. Factors contributing to the decline include a decrease in professing Christians in the US and low retention rates of those raised in the faith, with only 45% continuing to identify with it as adults. The decline can also be attributed to the adoption of modernist theology and clergy’s radical political views, causing members to leave for appealing alternatives available in the competitive American religious marketplace. Meanwhile, conservative and confessional denominations have seen growth, as have non-denominational churches, while Amish churches may surpass the Presbyterian Church in America. Solutions proposed include funding evangelism initiatives and removing obstacles hindering new and creative mission and evangelism initiatives. While some denominations will rise, others are expected to fall, and the American Christian landscape is disarrayed.
Further answers can be found here
How many people belong to the ELCA?The ELCA was officially formed on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three Lutheran church bodies. As of 2021, it has approximately 3.04 million baptized members in 8,724 congregations. Lutheran Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Since August 2009, 362 of the ELCA’s 10,000-plus congregations have voted to leave the denomination. As of , an estimated 50 of the ELCA’s 10,396 congregations have taken first votes to leave the denomination or have scheduled them, nearly all because of the assembly’s actions on sexuality. According to Abiding Word Ministries, nationally “693 congregations have successfully taken their first and/or second votes to leave the ELCA since August 2009 …. Total baptized membership loss to ELCA from these congregations stands at 336,369”.
Since the ELCA approved its policy switch in August 2009, 362 of its 10,000-plus congregations have voted to leave the denomination (some have not yet taken a requisite second vote).
Through Oct. 27, the ELCA Office of the Secretary reports an estimated 50 of the ELCA’s 10,396 congregations have taken first votes to leave the denomination or have scheduled them, nearly all because of the assembly’s actions on sexuality.
Abiding Word Ministries reports that nationally “693 congregations have successfully taken their first and/or second votes to leave the ELCA since August 2009 …. Total baptized membership loss to ELCA from these congregations stands at 336,369.”
Also, people ask
Similarly one may ask, Is the ELCA shrinking?
Response will be: Mainline decline has been a reality for over half a century, and the trends are well established. Yet consider how rapidly this future is arriving—well within most of our lifetimes. The ELCA had over five million members when it was launched in 1988. It has only declined since, and the decline has been accelerating.
Moreover, Is the Lutheran church growing or declining?
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America had seen a steady decline long before outbreaks of COVID-19 closed church doors. In North Texas, that fact is evident in ELCA congregations.
Likewise, Is there a shortage of pastors in the ELCA? Answer to this: A 2015 report from the ELCA Research and Evaluation Department projected that in 2019, in the US, approximately 404 ordained pastors would retire and only 207 newly ordained pastors would be available to replace them.
Herein, What is the largest Lutheran denomination in the world? Answer to this: The Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is the largest association of national and regional Lutheran church bodies in the world. Founded in 1947 by 47 church bodies from 26 countries, the LWF has grown to include 145 church bodies in 98 countries.
In this manner, What Church does the ELCA belong to?
Answer to this: The ELCA belongs to the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and the Lutheran World Federation. The ELCA is in full communion with the Episcopal Church, Moravian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.
Also to know is, How many baptized members are there in the ELCA?
As of December 31, 2020, there were 3.3 million baptized members in the ELCA. There were 8,900 congregations organized in 65 synods in nine geographic regions. The ELCA is a diverse church body, becoming more so every day.
How many synods does the ELCA have? There were 8,900 congregations organized in 65 synods in nine geographic regions. The ELCA is a diverse church body, becoming more so every day. This church is committed to growing in diversity and strengthening its global, ecumenical and interfaith relationships around the world.
Is the ELCA a schism?
The answer is: S chism is a serious matter. Even though the leaders of the congregations that left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to establish the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) in 2010 considered the ELCA to be the schismatic party, having broken from the apostolic tradition, they trembled a bit about leaving.
Then, How many ELCA members are there? As of 2021, it has approximately 3.04 million baptized members in 8,724 congregations. In 2015, Pew Research estimated that 1.4 percent of the U.S. population self-identifies with the ELCA. It is the seventh-largest Christian denomination by reported membership, and the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.
Beside this, When did ELCA become a church? As a response to this: Implementing this agreement took longer: the new Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) was effective on January 1, 1988, creating the largest Lutheran church body in the United States. The ALC and LCA had been formed by previous mergers.
In this manner, Is the ELCA a schism?
The answer is: S chism is a serious matter. Even though the leaders of the congregations that left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to establish the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) in 2010 considered the ELCA to be the schismatic party, having broken from the apostolic tradition, they trembled a bit about leaving.
Correspondingly, What if ELCA members knew the truth? It is my belief that if Bible-believing ELCA members knew the truth about what the ELCA is teaching and believes, they would not stand for it. They would demand change and seek to end affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is a crusade to defend the Word of God.