Changes

*the orthodox [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]]

*the orthodox [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]]

The first two denominations, along with the American Evangelical Lutheran Church (a spinoof from the Missouri Synod) merged in 1988 to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Members came primarily from German and Scandinavian immigrant stock.  Two conservative bodies, The [[Lutheran Church Missouri Synod]] and the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] did not join.  The term "Evangelical" in the name stems from old Lutheran traditions and does not mean the church is associated with the modern Evangelical or Fundamentalist movements.

The first two denominations, along with the American Evangelical Lutheran Church (a spinoff from the Missouri Synod) merged in 1988 to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Members came primarily from German and Scandinavian immigrant stock.  Two conservative bodies, The [[Lutheran Church Missouri Synod]] and the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] did not join.  The term "Evangelical" in the name stems from old Lutheran traditions and does not mean the church is associated with the modern Evangelical or Fundamentalist movements.

 

==Clergy==

==Clergy==

The ELCA clergy are well educated, reflecting the Lutheran  

The ELCA clergy are well educated, reflecting the Lutheran