The Evangelical Lutheran Synod had its origin among the early settlers of Norwegian descent who came to America during the 19th century, who organized as the Norwegian Synod in 1853. In 1917, when a merger was to bring together various groups of Norwegian churches into a new church body, a small group of pastors and congregations from the Norwegian Synod refused to enter into this merger because it was based on the false teaching that man could somehow cooperate in his conversion. This would give up the teaching that our conversion is due to God’s grace alone. Therefore, these nine congregations and 13 pastors formed a new synod, calling themselves the reorganized Norwegian Synod, in 1918. In 1953, this name was changed to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod to reflect our mission to people of all ethnicities.
The ELS operates its own four-year college (Bethany Lutheran College) and its own seminary (Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary) for training pastors. Our synod has a national youth convention and an annual convention where each congregation is allowed two non-clergy delegates in addition to the pastor. The ELS also supports mission work in Peru, Chile, South Korea, India, Kenya, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Australia. The synod enjoys full communion with the WELS, meaning we are doctrinally united. The Lutheran Sentinel is a bi-monthly magazine of the ELS that features thoughtful articles and other information.
We invite you to visit any of the following links to grow in your faith and learn how you, too, can help spread the Good News to all.
The EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNODis an American Lutheran church body of 130 congregations in full fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
BETHANY LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYBethany Lutheran Theological Seminary is the theological seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), a confessional Lutheran church body headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota. Bethany Seminary has been preparing pastors for the ELS and its broader fellowship for over 60 years and continues to provide graduate-level theological education today.
BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE provides Christian higher education in a challenging academic environment where personal mentoring guides students to pursue knowledge, truth, and discernment for productive and fulfilling lives.
BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE CHAPELCAST Join Bethany weekdays for a 20-minute worship service each day when classes are in session.
ELS PUBLICATION SUBSCRIPTIONS-The Evangelical Lutheran Synod has several publications for you. You can follow the link below and subscribe to one or all of them.
CENTER FOR APOLOGETICS AND WORLDVIEW: The Center for Apologetics and Worldviews presents evidence for the truth of Christianity, critiques worldviews that oppose Christianity, fortifies believers with a proper interpretation of Holy Scripture, and engages unbelievers in conversations leading toward the Gospel proclamation of forgiveness in Christ.
LUTHERAN MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP-LMSG is a non-profit organization providing Christ-centered support to WELS/ELS military service members, veterans, and their families.
CHRISTIAN LIFE RESOURCES - We are dedicated to finding “bridges” with life and family issues to talk about God, His will, and His plan for our salvation in Christ. Your support touches lives by your demonstration of love and the sharing of the message of love that lasts forever in Christ.