Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod |
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The LCMS logo (2020)
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| Abbreviation | LCMS |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Confessional Lutheran |
| Polity | Synodical/modified congregational |
| Structure | National synod, 35 middle level districts, and local congregations |
| President | Matthew C. Harrison |
| Altar and pulpit fellowship | American Association of Lutheran Churches Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia |
| Associations | International Lutheran Council |
| Region | United States, especially in the Upper Midwest. |
| Headquarters | Kirkwood, Missouri |
| Founder | C. F. W. Walther |
| Origin | April 26, 1847 Chicago, Illinois |
| Separated from | German Landeskirchen |
| Absorbed | Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Illinois and Other States (1880) Evangelical Lutheran Concordia Synod of Pennsylvania and Other States (1886) English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri and Other States (1911) Synodical Conference Negro Mission (1961) National Evangelical Lutheran Church (1964) Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (1971) |
| Separations | Orthodox Lutheran Conference (1951) Lutheran Churches of the Reformation (1964) Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (1976), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (1980) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina (1986) Lutheran Church–Canada (1988) |
| Congregations | 5,914 |
| Members | 1,807,408 baptized 1,433,378 confirmed |
| Primary schools | 822 |
| Secondary schools | 99 |
| Tax status | IRS 501(c)(3) organization |
| Tertiary institutions | 2 seminaries, 7 colleges and universities |
| Other name(s) | German: Die Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Synode von Missouri, Ohio und andern Staaten German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States |
| Publications | The Lutheran Witness Reporter |
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a large Christian church group in the United States. It is known for following traditional Lutheran beliefs very closely. With about 1.8 million members in 2021, it is the second-largest Lutheran church body in the U.S.
The LCMS was started in 1847 in Chicago, Illinois. It was first called the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. This name showed where its first churches were located. Today, the LCMS has churches in all 50 U.S. states and parts of Canada. Most of its members live in the Midwest. Its main office is in Kirkwood, Missouri. The current president of the LCMS is Matthew C. Harrison.
Contents
History of the LCMS
The Missouri Synod began with groups of German Lutheran immigrants in the 1830s and 1840s. These immigrants came to America looking for religious freedom. They wanted to practice their faith without being forced to change their beliefs.
Early Beginnings
Many German Lutherans settled in places like Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. A missionary named F. C. D. Wyneken helped bring these scattered German communities together. Another group of Lutherans came from Saxony in Germany. They settled in Perry County, Missouri, and St. Louis. These groups, along with missionaries sent by Wilhelm Löhe from Bavaria, helped form the early LCMS.
Saxon Immigrants Seek Freedom
In the 1800s, some Lutherans in Germany felt their church was changing too much. They disagreed with new ideas that mixed Lutheran beliefs with other Christian traditions. To freely practice their faith, about 600 to 700 Saxon Lutherans left Germany in 1838.
They arrived in New Orleans in late 1838 and early 1839. Most of them soon traveled to St. Louis and Perry County, Missouri. Their first leader, Martin Stephan, was later removed. C. F. W. Walther then became the new leader of the group.
Missionaries from Bavaria
Starting in 1841, a pastor named Wilhelm Löhe in Bavaria, Germany, helped German immigrants in North America. He raised money and trained people to become pastors and teachers. Löhe sent over 80 pastors and students to America. They started churches in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Löhe also helped start Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He sent students and a professor from Germany to help build this school. The first president of the seminary, Wilhelm Sihler, was also sent by Löhe.
C. F. W. Walther, who later became the first president of the LCMS, once said that Löhe was like the "spiritual father" of their church. He praised Löhe for his hard work and dedication.
Founding the Synod
In 1844 and 1845, the different groups of German Lutherans began talking about forming a new church body. On April 26, 1847, twelve pastors met in Chicago, Illinois. They officially founded the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States. C. F. W. Walther was chosen as its first president.
The new synod quickly became known for its traditional beliefs. Its rules required all members to agree with the Book of Concord. This book contains important Lutheran statements of faith. The LCMS also wanted to make sure that churches and schools used only books that taught pure doctrine. They believed that churches should only work closely with other Lutheran groups that shared their exact beliefs.
This strong stance led to some disagreements with other Lutheran groups. However, the Missouri Synod grew quickly. By 1888, it was the largest Lutheran church group in the United States. By 1897, it had over 687,000 members.
Synodical Conference and Growth
In 1872, the LCMS joined with other traditional Lutheran groups to form the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America. This conference aimed to unite conservative Lutherans.
Over the years, the LCMS continued to grow. It focused on helping German immigrants find churches and schools. The church also trained many pastors and teachers.
Switching to English
For its first 30 years, the Missouri Synod mainly focused on German-speaking Lutherans. But as time went on, younger members started speaking English more. In 1888, an independent English-speaking Lutheran synod was formed. This group later joined the LCMS in 1911 as the English District.
During the early 1900s, especially around the time of the World Wars, many churches began offering English services. This helped the church grow even more. By 1947, the LCMS had over 1.5 million members.
During this time, the LCMS also started using radio to share its message. It launched its own radio station, KFUO (AM), in 1924. In 1930, it began an international radio program called The Lutheran Hour. Later, in 1952, it even started its own TV show, This Is the Life.
Recent History and Changes
In 1947, the church shortened its name to "The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod." In the 1950s and 1960s, some disagreements arose within the LCMS about how closely to work with other Lutheran groups. Some smaller groups left the synod because of these disagreements.
In 1969, J. A. O. Preus II was elected president. Under his leadership, the LCMS became even more traditional. A major disagreement happened at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Many professors and students left to form a new seminary called Seminex. In 1976, about 250 churches that supported Seminex left the LCMS. They formed a new group called the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC).
Global Connections
The LCMS has also been involved in mission work around the world. In 1900, it sent missionaries to Brazil to serve German-speaking immigrants. Later, it started work in Argentina. These groups eventually became independent Lutheran churches that still have close ties with the LCMS.
In 1988, the LCMS churches in Canada became their own separate organization, Lutheran Church–Canada. However, they still share close beliefs and work together.
The LCMS is a member of the International Lutheran Council. This group includes over 50 Lutheran churches worldwide that share similar traditional beliefs.
What the LCMS Believes
The LCMS has strong beliefs based on the Bible and the Book of Concord.
Key Teachings
The LCMS believes that the Bible is the only true guide for what the church teaches. They also believe the Bible is inspired by God and has no errors. They use the Book of Concord to help explain and understand the Bible. Pastors and churches in the LCMS promise to teach in agreement with the Book of Concord.
How People Are Saved
The LCMS teaches that people are saved by God's grace alone, through faith alone, because of Jesus Christ alone. They believe Jesus is the most important part of the Bible. Faith in Him is the only way to get to heaven and have eternal life. They reject any idea that people can earn their salvation through good deeds.
God's Gifts of Grace
The LCMS teaches that God gives us His grace through His Word (the Bible and preaching) and the Sacraments. These are ways the Holy Spirit gives faith, forgives sins, and grants eternal life. They believe Baptism and Holy Communion are sacraments. Many also consider Confession and Absolution a sacrament.
In Holy Communion, the LCMS believes that Jesus' true body and blood are really present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine. This is called the sacramental union. They do not believe the bread and wine change into Jesus' body and blood (like some other churches teach).
Understanding the End Times
The LCMS believes that Jesus is already reigning as king in heaven. They do not believe there will be a literal 1000-year kingdom of Jesus on Earth before the end of the world.
Law and Gospel
The LCMS teaches that the Bible has two main messages: Law and Gospel. The Law shows us what God expects and how we fail. It shows us our sins. The Gospel is the good news that God freely forgives our sins through Jesus' death and resurrection. Both are important. The Law helps us see our need for a Savior, and the Gospel gives us that Savior.
Other Important Beliefs
Creation
The LCMS officially supports the belief that God created the world as described in the Bible, especially in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. They believe God created everything by His powerful word in six days. While they don't have an official position on the exact age of the Earth, they emphasize teaching creation from a Biblical view.
Freemasonry
The LCMS believes that the teachings of Freemasonry go against Christian beliefs. Therefore, they tell their pastors and members to avoid joining or taking part in Freemasonry.
Baptism and Other Practices
The LCMS practices infant baptism. They also believe in the Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer. These are important parts of daily life for LCMS members, as taught in Luther's Small Catechism.
How the LCMS Worships
LCMS churches generally have traditional worship services. They use printed orders of service and hymnals. Music often includes pipe organs or pianos. The newest hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, shows the synod's focus on traditional hymns and worship styles.
Some churches have started using more modern worship styles, with guitars and praise bands. They might project song lyrics onto screens instead of using hymnals. The LCMS allows for some variety in worship styles, as long as they agree with the Bible and the Book of Concord.
Becoming a Pastor
The LCMS believes that the role of a pastor is given by God. Pastors are called to preach, teach, and lead worship. To become an LCMS pastor, a man usually needs a four-year college degree and a four-year Master of Divinity degree. These degrees are usually earned at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis or Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Training includes studying the Bible, ancient languages like Greek and Hebrew, and how to preach and lead missions.
Women in the Church
The Missouri Synod teaches that only men can be ordained as pastors. However, in 1969, women were allowed to vote in church matters. In 2004, it was confirmed that women can serve in other leadership roles in the church, as long as these roles do not involve the specific duties of a pastor. So, in some churches, women can be church presidents or chairpersons.
Interfaith Services
The LCMS generally does not allow its pastors to worship together with leaders from other faiths. They believe that church groups should only work closely together if they fully agree on what the Bible teaches.
Youth Gatherings
The LCMS holds a big National Youth Gathering every three years. Thousands of young people attend these events. They include worship, learning, and performances by Christian bands. The most recent gathering was in 2022 in Houston, Texas.
How the LCMS is Organized
The LCMS has a unique structure. It is made up of self-governing local churches and pastors. Churches own their own buildings and choose their own pastors. The LCMS helps connect pastors with churches and helps churches work together on bigger projects, like mission work overseas.
The Synod's Leadership
The entire LCMS is led by an elected president, currently Matthew C. Harrison. The president is chosen at a big meeting called a synodical convention. This meeting happens every three years. At the convention, leaders discuss church beliefs and policies, and elections are held.
Presidents of the LCMS
- 1847–1850 Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther
- 1850–1864 Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken
- 1864–1878 Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther
- 1878–1899 Heinrich Christian Schwan
- 1899–1911 Franz August Otto Pieper
- 1911–1935 Friedrich Pfotenhauer
- 1935–1962 John William Behnken
- 1962–1969 Oliver Raymond Harms
- 1969–1981 J. A. O. Preus II
- 1981–1992 Ralph Arthur Bohlmann
- 1992–2001 Alvin L. Barry
- 2001–2001 Robert T. Kuhn
- 2001–2010 Gerald B. Kieschnick
- 2010–present Matthew C. Harrison
Districts and Congregations
The LCMS is divided into 35 districts. Most of these cover specific geographic areas. Each district has an elected president, who is a pastor. Districts are similar to dioceses in other Christian churches. Districts are further divided into smaller groups called circuits.
Most churches have full-time pastors. Some smaller churches, especially in rural areas, might have pastors who also work other jobs.
Other Organizations
Schools and Universities
Besides its two seminaries, the LCMS runs seven universities. These are part of the Concordia University System.
Supporting Groups
The LCMS has other groups that help with its work. Lutheran Hour Ministries (formerly Lutheran Laymen's League) runs outreach programs like The Lutheran Hour radio show. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League also supports missions. The synod also has its own publishing house, Concordia Publishing House, which prints its official magazine, The Lutheran Witness, and newspaper, Reporter.
LCMS and Other Lutheran Churches
The LCMS is very particular about having full agreement in beliefs before working closely with other church groups. Because of this, it is not part of larger ecumenical groups like the World Council of Churches or the Lutheran World Federation. However, it is a member of the International Lutheran Council, which includes over 50 Lutheran churches worldwide that share similar traditional beliefs.
In 2007, the LCMS agreed to work closely with the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC).
The LCMS is different from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in a few ways:
- The LCMS believes there are different levels of Christian fellowship, while the WELS does not.
- The LCMS believes the pastoral office is from God, but other church offices are human creations. The WELS believes that congregations can choose how they use public ministry.
- Both agree that only men can be pastors. However, the WELS also believes that women should not vote in church matters, which is different from the LCMS.
Membership and Demographics
The number of LCMS members grew a lot in the first half of the 1900s. In 1925, it had about 628,000 members. By 1950, it had grown to over 1.6 million. Membership reached its highest point in 1970, with almost 2.8 million members. In 2021, the LCMS had about 1.8 million members and 5,914 churches.
Most LCMS members live in the Upper Midwest of the United States. The states with the highest number of members are Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
A survey in 2014 found that the LCMS was one of the least racially diverse major religious groups in the U.S.
Images for kids
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Old Lutheran free church leader Friedrich August Brünn sent about 235 men to serve as pastors in the Missouri Synod.
