Press Release: October 15, 2004

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod historically has been closely connected with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod of the former Synodical Conference days. When the Synodical Conference was founded in 1872, the Norwegian Synod, the predecessor church body of the ELS, looked both to the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Synod for solid support in combating unionism and liberalism among church groups bearing the Norwegian Lutheran identity. In the 1880’s both the Norwegian Synod and the Missouri Synod were shaken by the controversies on the doctrines of election and conversion. The Norwegian Synod especially suffered a membership loss (about 1/3 of the pastors and their congregations). However, those who remained in the synod and continued to confess the scriptural doctrine of Dr. C. F. W. Walther, treasured and fostered the fellowship ties with the Missouri Synod.

The Norwegian Synod was once again plagued by controversy in 1917–this time over whether to join an ecumenical union where the old election error had resurfaced. The little group of 13 pastors and their churches, today known as the ELS, found refuge and strength once more in the brothers from the Missouri Synod who mutually confessed and remained faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions. There was some difference of opinion at that time as to which direction to go organizationally. Should the group continue to exist as an independent body or should it make overtures to the Missouri Synod to be admitted as a special district? Prominent members of the Missouri Synod advised the leaders of the small group of Norwegian Lutherans to exist as an independent synod in fellowship with Missouri.

Until 1946 when the ELS was able to have its own seminary (Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary), the men filling our pulpits were trained, for the most part, in Missouri Synod schools. However, in 1955 the ELS felt compelled to suspend relations with the Missouri Synod due to a breach of doctrine and practice in the area of church fellowship. Since that time, the ELS–along with its sister synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)–has remained an interested outside observer of activities in the LCMS.

Many in ELS and WELS held on to the hope that enough conservatives in the LCMS would somehow be able to turn the ship around from a course bent on higher criticism and ecumenism. The higher critical method of interpreting Scripture became evident in the classrooms of Missouri’s seminary, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. In 1974 when LCMS President J. A. O. Preus brought charges against the seminary president and the ensuing Seminex walkout occurred, numerous pastors in the ELS wondered: Would it be possible one day for the broken relationship between the synods to be restored in a God-pleasing manner?

Unfortunately, it has been proven through the years that not enough discipline has been taken against pastors/teachers who have consistently maintained liberal positions in connection with certain doctrines of Holy Scripture. A clear demonstration of this is the well-publicized incident involving LCMS District President Rev. David Benke officiating at a unionistic and syncretistic worship service featuring not only a wide range of Christian denominations but also Muslim and Jewish religious leaders.

Where is the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod headed? An opportunity presented itself at the 2004 LCMS convention. A battle was in store. A firm line to confess the truth could have been drawn. If the convention would have backed the Schulz Report and taken issue with Dr. Benke, this could have signaled a sincere attempt to root out practices that directly militate against the Scriptural doctrine of church fellowship. Sadly, this opportunity was missed. Now many of the conservatives are wondering what to do. Will some congregations go into a confessional state of protest? Will they leave the LCMS and become independent? Will they take steps to organize a new synod? Will they desire to associate/affiliate with an existing synod?

Pastors and congregations who have been struggling with these questions have been inquiring about the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. It might be advisable for such congregations to join an existing synod, or to bind together in forming an independent synod and elect leaders who then could carry on doctrinal discussions with ELS and WELS. The Synodical Conference of the past operated with the concept that church bodies walking in step with each other doctrinally were a tremendous blessing for the cause of confessional Lutheranism in America and beyond.

We pray for those in the LCMS who are striving to advance the cause of confessional Lutheranism. We also pray that God would protect our own synod–the Evangelical Lutheran Synod–from an attitude of self-righteousness as we humbly seek to know the truth of his Word and boldly profess it before others.

Those interested in learning more about the ELS are encouraged to contact the Synod President, Rev. John A. Moldstad, at:

  Rev. John A. Moldstad
  President
  Evangelical Lutheran Synod
  6 Browns Court
  Mankato, MN 56001

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