What is the ELCA?
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) resulted from a union of three North American Lutheran church bodies:
American Lutheran Church
Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches
Lutheran Church in America. The three churches agreed to unite in 1982 with the ELCA actually beginning operations on January 1, 1988. The ELCA meets in assembly every two years.
The ELCA has many members, spread across the country:
Baptized Members (2008): 4,633,887
Congregations: 10,396
Synods: 65 in nine geographic regions
Martin Luther The ELCA, along with other Lutheran churches, can trace its roots directly to the Protestant Reformation that took place in Europe in the 16th century. Martin Luther, a German monk, became aware of differences between the Bible and church practices of the day. His writings, lectures and sermons inspired others to protest church practices and call for reform.
By the late 1500s the Reformation had spread throughout Europe. Followers of Martin Luther's teachings were labeled "Lutherans" by their enemies and adopted the name themselves. Lutheran beliefs became widespread, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland), later spreading throughout the world as early explorers took their faith with them on their voyages. Lutheranism came to the Americas that way.
Lutheranism in America
As people migrated to the New World they continued to speak and worship in their native languages and use resources from their countries of origin. Europeans from a particular region would migrate to a particular region in America and start their own churches. As the number of these congregations grew, scattered groups would form a "synod" or church body, and as the nation expanded so did the number of Lutheran church bodies.
By the late 1800s the 20 or so Lutheran church bodies that would eventually merge to become The American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America had been established. Massive immigration from traditionally Lutheran countries had started, and between 1840 and 1875 alone 58 Lutheran synods were formed in the U.S.
*Information excerpts from ELCA website.