The ELCA associated churches are not even true Christian churches IMHO. Check out their pro-abortion policy at ELCA.org
I was raised in a conservative Lutheran church. As an adult, I innocently joined the local “Lutheran” church here when we moved here 15 years ago. It wasn’t too long before the ELCA meeting reports in the bulletin tipped me off that there was something wrong. The ELCA was “dialoging about gay unions”.
So I checked out the ELCA.org website and was even more appalled at the pro-abortion stance. I discussed it with the “pastor” who said not to worry, such a small amount of offerings goes to the ELCA. I said even one red cent to pro-abortionists is a grave sin. He said OH we can’t judge....etc.
I was good and gone within days of seeing the clue in the bulletin. Thing is, nothing was preached from the pulpit about these immoral things the ELCA does. All the old folks I used to sit with, probably have no idea they are supporting abortion. Sad. They are in a false church.
You have it pegged exactly. You are to be congratulated in leaving so soon. Sadly, you are in the minority. By far, most stick around, even knowing about the position of the ELCA on abortion and homosexuality. Those who know it's going on, hate it and they want the ELCA to change but there is no mass exodus. There is only a small trickle of those leaving.
I was raised in what eventually became the ELCA. Before it became the ELCA it was a Bible-believing church.
The wheels fell off in 1988. We left about 1992 for the LCMS.
We recently lost one family in our LCMS to the ELCA because they wanted their unchurched children to be able to commune with them.
The LCMS cares enough about their children's souls to educate them to the seriousness of communing without proper preparation.
To many, the LCMS position is unwelcoming and exclusionary. I have come to look at it as being the compassionate attitude. The LCMS cares about people's souls.