What is the LCMS?

Article by Pastor Jacob Eichers

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Cross Logo

Some of you may be reading our blog posts and read our association with the LCMS, and wonder what on earth that means. Here's an introduction to the LCMS if you haven't heard of us or want to read what makes us different.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was established in 1847 by German immigrants so they could express the faith that aligns with the teachings of the Bible as it is explained by a historical set of documents called the Lutheran Confessions. It started small with 12 pastors from 14 congregations, but it has since grown to a network of 5,914 congregations and 1.7 million baptized members.

Here are some things that the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod values:

• Christ-Centered: We hold dearly the central teaching of the Scriptures which is that Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost (cf. Luke 19:10). We are saved by grace alone, apart from anything we've done. We boldly teach the love of Christ which forgives and welcomes sinners like me and you.

• Biblical: We echo the words of Peter who writes, "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). We believe the Bible is the Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit, contains no errors (inerrant), and shows us the path to eternal life. Some Churches with Lutheran on the sign teach that Noah's Ark is a myth or that Jesus didn't bodily rise from the dead. Not the case for LCMS churches. We believe all that the Bible teaches as historical fact.

• Confessional: We aren't the first people to pick up the Bible. Christians throughout the centuries have discussed and debated important aspects of the Bible's teachings. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod gets that, and draws upon the wisdom of church fathers from the modern era back to the early church. We teach that ancient creeds such as the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian creeds accurately explain the teachings of the Church. Likewise, we draw upon a set of documents written in the 1500s called the Book of Concord because it is an accurate explanation of what Scripture teaches. Perhaps the document in the Book of Concord with which you are most familiar is the Small Catechism.

• Sacramental: We don't need to wonder where Jesus is. Jesus' body and blood is present in, with, and under the bread and wine of communion as well as present in the waters of Baptism to grant us forgiveness, life, and salvation. We offer communion frequently at our worship services. Our pastors want to baptize you and your household if you haven't already been baptized.

• Local: We are named the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, but you don't have to have lived in Missouri to become a part of our church! The original name of our denomination was The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States, but was shortened to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod because the first name was too much of a mouthful. In fact, there are 50% more LCMS Lutherans per capita in Wisconsin than there are in Missouri itself. Our denomination values local congregations, and they have freedom to call their own pastors and has freedom to make many choices as to what their congregation looks like and how they worship.

• Personal: The median attendance at a congregation in the LCMS is about 50 people on a weekend. We want all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of their savior. However, for us, that looks like planting new churches rather than building huge congregations. You can find large congregations in our denomination, but the odds are that you can find a community "Where everybody knows your name." As a pastor in La Crosse at a congregation with about 85 people on a Sunday, I make a point of greeting everyone by name and following up with visitors and this is the practice of many of our sister congregations.

Nuts and Bolts Differences

It's good to talk in generalities about things the LCMS values, but how might it be different than the Lutheran church I attend or my aunt attends? To be specific we'll go over some of the main differences understanding this is not an exhaustive list but an overview.

• Authority of Scripture: Unlike the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) which admits the Bible although inspired, may contain errors, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaches the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and infallible. The LCMS agrees with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) on the authority of Scripture.

• Role of Women: Unlike the ELCA which allows women to be pastors, the LCMS reserves the office of the Holy Ministry to be occupied only by men. We point to passages such as 1 Timothy 2:12, 3:1-7, and 1 Corinthians 14:32-35. However, the LCMS has a broader view of women's leadership in the church than the WELS as we allow women to vote in our voters' assemblies as well as to serve in some, but not all, lay leadership positions.

• Marriage and Sexuality: The ELCA accepts the LGBTQIA lifestyle as in accordance with the will of God. The LCMS teaches the Biblical view of marriage as one man and one woman with sex being protected in the confines of marriage. In this aspect, we agree with the WELS.

• Fellowship: The WELS has a narrower view of what constitutes fellowship, discouraging their members from praying with people who do not belong to their denomination. However, both the LCMS and the WELS share in the teaching of close or closed communion wherein only members of their denomination are normally allowed to participate in the Lord's Supper. This is done out of love and pastoral care for those approaching the altar as those participating in this meal truly do encounter the body and blood of Christ Himself. The ELCA has open communion which would welcome anyone to participate in the Lord's Supper. To read more, click this link to an article written by our denomination's president.

Questions?

We hope this article helped clarify what the LCMS is about to give you a better idea of what our church plant believes and values. If you have further questions, submit a question through our contact us page below.