The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is the largest American Lutheran church body.
October 04, 2025
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temporal
Describes the relative size of the ELCA within American Lutheran denominations.
Reported membership in the ELCA declined from 5.3 million in 1988 to 2.7 million in 2025.
October 04, 2025
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temporal
Long-term membership trend showing decline over several decades.
The ELCA adopted practices beginning in 2009 to bless same-sex marriages and to welcome LGBTQ+ clergy; it elevated its first openly gay regional bishop in 2013 and its first openly transgender regional bishop in 2021.
January 01, 2021
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temporal
Policy and leadership milestones related to LGBTQ+ inclusion within the ELCA, with associated years.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was formed in 1988 from a merger of predecessor Lutheran denominations.
January 01, 1988
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temporal
Organizational origin of the ELCA.