The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America resulted from a union of three North American Lutheran church bodies: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America.

The three churches agreed to unite in 1982. They formed a 70-member Commission for a New Lutheran Church, which planned the merger. The plan was approved by church conventions in 1986, and the ELCA constituting convention was held April 30-May 3, 1987, with the church actually beginning operations on January 1, 1988.

The ELCA meets in assembly every two years; at its 2001 Churchwide Assembly it elected its third bishop, The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, who was re-elected at the 2007 Churchwide Assembly held August 6-12 in Chicago.

The Central States Synod is committed to God’s mission in the world and will in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America make use of its resources to:

* Proclaim the Good News of God’s Saving Grace (John 4:35, Luke 4:18ff, 9:60, Colossians 1:24ff, I Corinthians 1:23ff)
* Reach out to all people to bring them to faith in Christ(Matthew 28)
* Equip women and men for leadership in both the church and community, (Ephesians 4:12, Mark 1, Matthew 5, Acts 17, Luke 2)
* Serve our neighbor in response to their human need for wholeness in mind, body and spirit (John 13:1-30, Matthew 10, Matthew 18, Matthew 25:31-46)
* Emphasize the Priesthood of all Believers and their Call to Ministry in Daily Life (I Corinthians 12:4-6)
* Nurture all members, young and old, as they respond to their Call to Discipleship (Matthew 4:19)
* Claim our responsibilities as Stewards of Creation (I Corinthians 4:1-2, I Peter 4:10)
* Encourage the development and strengthening of our partnership in mission and ministry with our Full Communion Partners in the Gospel (John 17, I Corinthians 10:16-17)