In 2020, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) celebrates the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination.
- 50 years ago, the decision was made in a U.S. Lutheran church to ordain women to the office of pastor.
- 40 years ago, the first women of color were ordained.
- 10 years ago, the ELCA decided to ordain people in civil same-sex relationships.
As the ELCA tells it, the Holy Spirit was at work 50 years ago in the American Lutheran Church — one of the ELCA’s historical predecessor bodies — and so, on 29 June 1970, the governing body of the American Lutheran Church voted to replace the word “man” with “person” in its church constitution and bylaws. In this way women’s ordination was permitted. The delegates probably did not imagine how much change such a decision would bring.
In this anniversary year, the ELCA expresses deep regret that women have been barred from serving, that they have been intimidated, dismissed and excluded.
In its statement the ELCA says
“We rejoice in the gifts and the ministry that women pastors have brought to our church and to our world.”
Congregations have been encouraged to mark the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination throughout the year! For this purpose the ELCA created materials, including five forum sessions, four Bible study sessions, as well as a liturgy with suggested Scripture passages and hymns.
On youtube.com, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton tells the story of the circumstances in which the decision on women’s ordination was made. Eaton also gives thanks to the women who have answered God’s call to be pastors over these 50 years.
The ELCA, or Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, uniting 3.5 million members in more than 9,100 congregations across all 50 states and the Caribbean region. The church is known for its motto “God’s work. Our hands,” and in this way the ELCA emphasizes God’s saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA traces its origins to the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
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