The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) did not directly "split" from each other. Instead, the ELCA was formed in 1988 through the merger of three existing Lutheran bodies: the American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC). A significant portion of this foundational history, particularly concerning the AELC, involves a major theological and structural schism within the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod that led to the formation of the AELC, which later joined the ELCA.
Therefore, the "split" you refer to is best understood as the historical divergences and a specific separation from the Missouri Synod that contributed to the distinct theological identity of the ELCA's predecessors.
Historical Context: The Formation of the AELC
The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) was formed in 1976 by congregations and individuals who left the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod following significant theological disputes and controversies, most notably the "Seminex" controversy of the early 1970s concerning biblical interpretation and theological education at Concordia Seminary. These disagreements ultimately created an irreconcilable divide.
Key Disagreements Leading to the Separation
The core issues that led to this significant separation from the Missouri Synod, paving the way for the AELC (and eventually, part of the ELCA), centered on:
Authority and Governance
A fundamental point of contention was the balance of congregational autonomy versus synodical authority. Those who eventually formed the AELC generally favored greater congregational self-governance and decision-making, while the Missouri Synod maintained a stronger emphasis on centralized synodical authority and theological conformity.
Understanding the Church's Mission
There were also differing views on the nature of the church's mission. This encompassed various aspects, including the role of social ministry, evangelism methods, and how the church should engage with the wider society. These differing perspectives contributed to the growing divide.
Ordination of Women
A significant and visible theological divergence was the practice of ordaining women. The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, upon its formation, took the progressive step of ordaining women into the ministry. In stark contrast, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod did not and continues not to ordain women. This difference reflects deeply held, distinct interpretations of scripture and tradition regarding church leadership.
The ELCA's Formation
When the AELC merged with the ALC and LCA in 1988 to form the ELCA, these foundational theological positions, including the ordination of women and a more decentralized approach to governance, became part of the ELCA's identity. This effectively solidified a distinct theological trajectory from the LCMS, which remains theologically conservative and maintains its traditional stance on these issues.
Summary of Key Differences
The table below highlights the principal differences that led to the separation of the AELC from the LCMS, which are now foundational distinctions between the ELCA and the LCMS:
| Issue | ELCA (through its predecessor AELC) | Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Authority Structure | Emphasizes greater congregational autonomy within a broader synodical structure; values theological diversity within Lutheran confessions. | Stresses strong synodical authority and centralized theological oversight; prioritizes strict doctrinal uniformity. |
| Church's Mission | Embraces a broader understanding of mission, including social justice, ecumenical cooperation, and evangelism. | Focuses primarily on the proclamation of the Gospel and the proper administration of the sacraments. |
| Women's Ordination | Ordains women as pastors, deacons, and bishops. | Does not ordain women into the pastoral office; restricts the role to men only. |
| Ecumenical Relations | Actively engages in full communion agreements with other Protestant denominations. | Maintains a more cautious approach to ecumenical relations, prioritizing doctrinal agreement before altar and pulpit fellowship. |
In essence, while the ELCA did not split from the LCMS, its lineage includes a significant group that did separate from the LCMS due to profound disagreements over governance, mission, and the role of women in ministry, thereby establishing two distinct paths within American Lutheranism.
