ELCA Shrinking: Too Much Church Growth? Or Too Much WELS-ELS-LCMS?

Here is an interesting article on ELCA shrinking.

A major reason is that, in 20 years, the ELCA hasn't achieved a clear identity. Ask anyone what an ELCA Lutheran is - including ELCA Lutherans - and they will be hard pressed to tell you.

Ask someone what a Baptist or a Roman Catholic is and right away, you have a pretty fair idea what those terms mean. Not so with these Lutherans.

Inskeep says one reason is the ELCA never has come to terms with what it takes to live in the modern world. The endless debate about the role of gays and lesbians in the church is an example. Other denominations - Roman Catholics, Reformed, Baptists - have, for better or worse, addressed the issue and moved on.

Tradition also plays a big role. An unspoken commandment: "We've always done it this way. Why change?"

Some ELCA churches are growing and doing well. But Inskeep says overall, 72% of congregations lost worshipers between 2000 and 2006, and the number of churches where less than 50 people worship regularly jumped from 18% in 1988 to 26% in 2005.

Two decades ago, a few observers feared the ELCA would become the "General Motors of Lutheranism."

Turns out they were right, but not in the way they intended.