The Missouri Synod is a member of the Lutheran World Federation. It also has intimate connection with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or we often called ELCA.
Summary Table
| Missouri Synod | ELCA |
| Has around 1.4 millions members in United States and Canada | Has around 2.4 millions members in United States and Canada |
| Members of Missouri Synod are also members of ELCA | Members of ELCA are not all a part of Missouri Synod |
| Focuses on evangelism and outreach | Focuses on ecumenical work |
We have to know that Missouri Synod and ELCA are the members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri. They are the independent member church which means they can have their own administration and council.
Both the churches carry the name of the creator of the Protestant movement Martin Luther. The ceremonies carried out in these Churches are identical as well as the sketch of the construction of the churches, the clothe of pastors and the color of the altar.
The Missouri Synod originated from multiple populations of German Lutheran immigrants throughout the 1830s and 1840s. Following numerous unification and segregation from other Lutheran synods and congregations, the designation adopted its present name in 1947
Whilst ELCA was established in 1869 by a bunch of German immigrants who mostly were ministers or pastors. The name “ELCA” was encouraged by the German term for “us”.
Despite the fact that they split some of the similar philosophies and convictions, they are not in association with each other.
What is Missouri Synod?
You can say that Missouri Synod is the Missouri-Synod Lutheran Church. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation and has tight bonds with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
You have to take note that the synod was created on 1867 then it modified to “Missouri-Synod” in 1874. They elected the first governance in November 1877.
It actually started as a bunch of German-speaking Lutherans who abandoned their country of origin to begin a contemporary existence in America. At first, we called Missouri Synod as the “German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri.”
You get to find that Missouri Synod is the largest Lutheran church body in America. Nevertheless, it does not have a internal head office and it does not have a state church. Rather, Missouri Synod has 19 local synods and 275 regional assembly across all of the United States and Canada.
We find that Missouri Synod has about 1.4 million members in the United States and Canada in 2018. Missouri Synod maintain to the instruction of Martin Luther, mainly in the sections of salvation, justification, Christian livelihood and church authority.
You have to be aware that they trust “the Word and Sacrament doctrine” and “the Five Solas” too. It is for you to now that these are Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria (God Alone is Worthy of Glory), and the Apostles Creed.
What is ELCA?
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was created in 1988 by the consolidation of two significant Lutheran denominations alongside with several lesser societies.
ELCA principles arise from what Martin Luther has instructed. It also trusts the Ten Commandments and the Apostles Creed too. It also presumed that we can always recognize a connection between belief and good works.
Their commitment to Christ and the Gospel is what generates them have a very commendable church government. You don’t need to worry about your spiritual problems because it is very good at handling those matters.
The Evangelical Lutheran Council is an affiliation member churches of the ELCA. In truth ELCA is chosen as a part of that board but it determine to be an independent member church. The confederation still considered it as their member though without an obligation.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the greatest Christian denominations in the United States. It has more than 2 million people as their members in 2018.
It also has more than 1,200 congregation throughout those two countries. The entire community arise from the United States and Canada.
You know that ELCA is independent member church. That means it can make its own judgment for both local and public issues given that it has its own government. The ELCA is headed by a presiding bishop, who is elected by the Churchwide Assembly for a six-year term
They split several of the similar philosophies and faiths, yet they are not in association with one another.
As you might know, they are an independent member churches so they can do everything by themself. They also have what you called internal congress.
If you are a part of it then you can understand more about the Bible, amass to worship, and be involved as well in sociability concerns.
Both Missouri Synod and ELCA have assembly and prelate who are liable for church conduct, doctrine expansion and congregational way of living.
Moreover if you are curious about their church living, information, and the whole events, you can go check it out at their journal and internet site.
What are the differences?
Participation size
The foremost contrast within the two is the amount of members. Missouri Synod has exceeding 1 million members whereas ELCA has approximately 2.4 million members. Each members of both churches are from the United States and Canada.
You should also understand that according to the total of people engaged, Missouri Synod is the greatest Lutheran church group in America.
Government
Both Missouri Synod and ELCA have assembly and prelate who are liable for church conduct, doctrine expansion and congregational way of living. They also have what you called internal congress.
If you are a part of it then you can understand more about the Bible, amass to worship, and be involved as well in sociability concerns.
Form of governance
As you already know, Missouri Synod is a part of the Lutheran World Federation. It also has intimate relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Therefore we can say that the members of Missouri Synod are part of ELCA as well. Moreover it is also an element of the National Association of Evangelicals.
Mission work
Missouri Synod emphasis on proselytism and transcend whereas ELCA concentrates on general labor. It has more members that are preachers than ELCA does, which assist them to be elaborate in apostle task.
Missouri Synod has ministers that are functioning throughout the world as well while ELCA has not many evangelist operating away from the United States and Canada.
