A Turning Point in 1917
In 1917, the first major church body merger in America took place when three Norwegian synods united to form the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
However, some pastors and families, out of deep concern for faithfulness to God’s Word, could not in good conscience join this merger. They believed that true unity must be built on uncompromised Scripture, not on outward agreement.
Thirteen Norwegian pastors and their congregations ultimately stood apart. They refused to accept any compromise that suggested human effort played a role in salvation, especially regarding the doctrines of election and conversion. For years, they gathered for worship—often in private homes—while being served by faithful confessional Lutheran pastors.
It was at Lime Creek Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills, Iowa, that this group reorganized as a synod. On June 17, 1918, the new body was formally established under the name “The Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church.” In reality, it was a continuation of the same confessional doctrine held since 1853.
The Rev. Bjug Harstad, the first president of the newly formed church body, encouraged the small gathering. He referenced words from the book of Jeremiah: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls” (6:16). In 1957, the name was changed to Evangelical Lutheran Synod, reflecting a broader membership and an emphasis on gospel outreach.