The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC, a.k.a. The AALC) was formed on November 7, 1987 as an alternative choice for churches in The American Lutheran Church denomination who did not want to be part of the merger with two other Lutheran church bodies which formed the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The AALC offices are located in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The AALC began with 12 congregations and has, as of 2005, grown to 87 congregations spread across 23 states. The AALC sees itself in the conservative middle of Lutheranism in the United States. At its beginning, TAALC defined itself by its opposition to the theology of the ELCA, and became a home to Orthodox, Evangelical, and Charismatic Lutherans. At one point the three strands were described as being a three fold cord, (Ec 4:12). This approach was never formal policy, but occured because the member churches hadn't taken the time to develop an explicit and detailed doctrinal stance.

The lack of theological rigor was apparent. The three strand approach could never work; it was

The AALC operates its own seminary, The American Lutheran Theological Seminary (ALTS), originally located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In the fall of 2005, ALTS relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana and is hosted by Concordia Theological Seminary of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod (LCMS).

The AALC and the LCMS are in talks that each body hopes will lead to pulpit and altar fellowship.

Basic beliefs of the AALC

(from their website)

• The full authority of the Bible as the inerrant and infallible Word of God;

• The Lutheran Confessions as a true interpretation of Scripture;

• A purpose focused on the Great Commission with priority for Evangelism and World Missions;

• The authority of the local congregation as the basic unit of the church.