American Association of Lutheran Churches
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}{{Infobox Christian denomination
|imagewidth=
|name = American Association of Lutheran Churches
|image = American Association of Lutheran Churches logo.png
|caption =
|abbreviation=AALC|main_classification = Protestant
|orientation =Lutheran
|theology =Confessional Lutheran
|polity = Congregationalist
|leader_title=Presiding Pastor|leader_name=Cary G. Larson|headquarters=Fort Wayne, Indiana|founded_date = November 7, 1987
|founded_place =
|parent =
|separated_from = American Lutheran Church
|associations =International Lutheran Council
|footnotes =
|congregations = 59 (2020)
|members = 16,000 (2008)
|website = [http://www.taalc.org/ www.taalc.org]
}}
The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC, also known as The AALC or TAALC) is a Lutheran church body based in the United States. It was formed on November 7, 1987, as a continuation of the American Lutheran Church denomination, the majority of which merged with the Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.The formation of The AALC in opposition to the ELCA is recounted in the book, [https://www.taalc.org/to-tell-the-truth-book To Tell the Truth: A History of The AALC, 1987-2012] compiled by Duane R. Lindberg. The AALC offices were originally in Bloomington, Minnesota. The national office moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2007, and to Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 2022. In 2008, it had 67 congregations, with about 16,000 members.{{cite web |title=American Association of Lutheran Churches |url=https://www.thearda.com/ |accessdate=22 February 2012 |publisher=Association of Religion Data Archives}} In 2020, the denomination listed 59 congregations.{{Cite web |title=Church Finder |url=https://churches.taalc.org/church-finder |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The American Association of Lutheran Churches |language=en}} Its current Presiding Pastor is the Rev. Dr. Cary G. Larson.
Historical background
{{Lutheranism in the United States|expanded=alc}}
The AALC began with 12 congregations and had, as of 2008, grown to 70 congregations spread across 23 states. The AALC sees itself as a confessional Lutheran church body in the United States. At its beginning, the AALC defined itself by what it saw as maintaining a commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture and the teaching of the Lutheran confessions by way of retaining the Confession of Faith of the American Lutheran Church.
The AALC operates its own seminary, the American Lutheran Theological Seminary, originally located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In fall 2005, the seminary relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is hosted by Concordia Theological Seminary of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).
The AALC holds to the inerrancy of scripture. It does not ordain women as pastors. However, women may serve as deaconesses. In addition to serving in congregations, its rostered pastors also serve as chaplains in the U.S. Armed Services, hospitals, correctional facilities, law enforcement, hospice, and a host of other specialized ministries.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}{{Cite web |date=21 June 2024 |title=The AALC, Association Documents |url=https://www.taalc.org/association-documents}}
Some well known confessional Lutheran theologians of the AALC include: Jordan B. Cooper, an [https://www.justandsinner.org/books.html author], conference speaker, and host of the Just and Sinner podcast and video channel;{{Cite web |title=Jordan B Cooper |url=https://www.jordanbcooper.com/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Jordan B Cooper |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Books |url=https://www.justandsinner.org/books.html |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=JUST & SINNER |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Just and Sinner Podcast |url=https://justandsinner.libsyn.com/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=justandsinner.libsyn.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Dr. Jordan B Cooper - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@DrJordanBCooper |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.youtube.com}} Curtis E. Leins, a professor and host of the seminary's video channel;{{Cite web |title=The American Lutheran Theological Seminary - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@theamericanlutherantheolog548 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.youtube.com}} and Chris Rosebrough, a conference speaker and host of Pirate Christian Radio and the Fighting for the Faith video channel.{{Cite web |title=Chris Rosebrough |url=https://www.1517.org/contributors/chris-rosebrough |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.1517.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=About Our Ship |url=http://www.piratechristian.com/about-our-ship |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Pirate Christian Media |language=en-US}}
Fellowship with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
Starting in 1989, representatives of the AALC and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) met in a series of official and unofficial talks. After six official meetings, at which various doctrinal papers were submitted, representatives of both the AALC and the LCMS recommended to their respective church bodies that they enter into altar and pulpit fellowship with one another. The proposal was brought before theology/doctrine commissions of each church body before being presented at their respective national conventions. During the June 20–23, 2007, AALC National Convention, the AALC declared fellowship with the LCMS; and voted to join the International Lutheran Council. On July 16, 2007, the LCMS declared fellowship with the AALC during the LCMS 63rd Regular Convention.
Basic beliefs
- Affirms the full authority of the Bible as the inerrant and infallible Word of God
- Holds to the Lutheran Confessions because they are the true interpretation of Scripture
- Maintains a purpose focused on the Great Commission with priority for evangelism and world missions
- Affirms the authority of the local congregation as the basic unit of the church
Presiding pastors
- Rev. Dr. Duane R. Lindberg 1987–1999
- Rev. Thomas V. Aadland 1999–2007
- Rev. Franklin E. Hays 2007–2014
- Rev. Dr. Curtis E. Leins 2014–2022
- Rev. Dr. Cary G. Larson 2022–
References
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.taalc.org}}
- [http://www.youtube.com/@theamericanlutherantheolog548 American Lutheran Theological Seminary videos]
- [https://www.alts.edu/ American Lutheran Theological Seminary website]
- [https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/group-profiles/groups?D=22 Profile of The AALC on the Association of Religion Data Archives website]
{{International Lutheran Council Churches}}
Category:International Lutheran Council members