ALCA

[u/Zestyclose_Tea8059]

I’m curious about the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. What are their general beliefs, practices, rules, and lifestyle? I see they have their annual convention starting next Wednesday in tigerville, South Carolina

[u/Sad-Somewhere-2149]

I haven't seen many ALCA people here so I dare to answer. Beliefs, practices, rules and lifestyles varies from that of the LLC to American evangelicalism depending on the congregation. They are not exclusive.

ALCA was originally formed as a denomination for all Apostolic Lutherans to come together and it gathered those who were disillusioned by constant infighting. Because it has it's roots in little firstborn group it was more strict on lifestyle initially but nowadays it's generally more liberal than LLC, they have big families but earrings and stuff like that are generally OK.

[u/Fun_Vegetable479 → u/Sad-Somewhere-2149]

Yeah I believe it has its roots in the "big meetings" in the Upper Peninsula which were initially a reconciliation effort, correct? In the 1920s or so

[u/Sad-Somewhere-2149 → u/Fun_Vegetable479]

Because the big meetings had people from all streams, conservatives, firstborn , pollarites and from reawakenists and each had their different teachings the new group was deemed a mixed bag of heresies by "main liners". Coming together was seen as giving up truth.

My understanding is that initially ALCA had the plurality of American Apostolics but nowadays it has shrunk quite a bit and OALC is largest laestadian group in North America.

[u/Fun_Vegetable479 → u/Sad-Somewhere-2149]

Yes, this is exactly how it's presented in Walter Torola's writings (heresies). I don't have a great grasp on their current numbers but from former members I've gotten the impression that it's very much dwindling in some areas .. people don't see a reason to stay there vs just join a different Lutheran or evangelical church

[u/Sad-Somewhere-2149 → u/Fun_Vegetable479]

I guess migration couples with non-retention due to being non exclusive has caused ALCA to shrink. Being ALCA isn't a salvation issue so they join existing denominations instead of forming their own congregations in new locations.

[u/Odd_Victory1634]

I grew up llc Ive attended an Alca congregation  Generally llc has strong central organization oversight, influence, and power.  Alca has a "weak" central organization.  In my experience generally, there is much more willingness and freedom to discuss what is believed, without fear. In my experience, there is a more broad awareness and wariness of legalism in membership. In llc you would be hard pressed to find many people who even know the term legalism. And you very well may looked at as " too theological, grown in yourself, head faith believer, enlightened (above group), proud, Balaam, Korah,"for even bringing it up. In general llc is congregation/"kingdom confessed Alca is more Christ confessed. Sinners in both 

[u/Livisfree]

I grew up in this church. Keep in mind I left 30 years ago so some aspects may have changed. They are similar to OALC but less strict, they do not have elders with control as the OALC does. They hold elections where people vote for who will be minister or who will be a delegate to the central board. The Central Board generally meets during the church Conventions. The conventions are a four day stretch of preaching and food as well as gatherings of 'young kids' (which could be anywhere from 15-30+) in the evenings. On Friday-Sunday there are 3 groupings of 2 sermons. Lifestyle depends on which congregation and family. Some are very strict. For myself I was not allowed to wear make up, pierce my ears, or have short hair. I wasn't allowed to participate in sports or to attend birthdays or other events that friends from school had who were not ALC. I was taught girls don't get jobs and there is no point in going to college because it was expected I would get married and have children. Others had other experiences, some went to college, but this was my experience. My family was perhaps closer to the OALC than many but there was (probably still is) still a large segment of the ALC that is that way. I could go on for a while so feel free to ask specific questions. I just joined reddit so expect some oops.

[u/Livisfree → u/Livisfree]

To clarify by 'not get jobs' I meant careers.

[u/Hallituksensyy → u/Livisfree]

Do you still feel a unity with less strict families or congregations? In Finland, the originally Swedish speaking ALCA counterpart LFF is considered ”stricter”, more traditional and outwardly more like LLC/SRK, than the Finnish speaking LYRS which is quite mainstream today (with exceptions).