Lutheran Church – Canada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lutheran Church – Canada |
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|---|---|
| Église luthérienne du Canada | |
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| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Lutheran |
| Theology | Confessional Lutheran |
| Structure |
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| President | Timothy Teuscher |
| Associations | International Lutheran Council |
| Origin | 1988 |
| Separated from | Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod |
| Congregations | 276 |
| Members | 47,607 (2022) |
| Ministers |
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| Publications | The Canadian Lutheran |
The Lutheran Church – Canada (LCC) is a Christian church group in Canada that follows the Lutheran faith. It's the second-biggest Lutheran church group in Canada, after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The LCC is one of only three Lutheran groups that are completely Canadian.
The LCC started in 1988. Before that, its churches in Canada were part of a bigger American church called the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). They decided to become their own independent church group with an office in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The LCC and the LCMS still work together and share ideas, as they have very similar beliefs.
Contents
A Look at LCC's History
Lutheranism first came to Canada with Danish explorers in 1619. Later, German settlers arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749, encouraged by King George II of Great Britain. The first Lutheran church in Canada was built in Halifax in 1752.
As people settled across Canada, more Lutheran churches were built. This happened in Ontario in the late 1700s, Manitoba in the 1800s, and Alberta in the early 1900s. For about 200 years, Lutheran churches in Canada were often connected to different American church groups. Eventually, many joined the LCMS in 1958 or the ELCIC in 1967. From 1958 to 1988, the LCC was a group under the LCMS.
Becoming Independent
After becoming independent in January 1988, the LCC created three main areas called "districts." These were:
- The Alberta-British Columbia (ABC) District, with an office in Edmonton, Alberta.
- The Central District, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- The East District, in Kitchener, Ontario.
Today, the LCC has many churches across Canada:
- 58 churches in British Columbia
- 78 in Alberta
- 62 in Saskatchewan
- 20 in Manitoba
- 124 in Ontario
- 11 in Quebec
- 1 in New Brunswick
- 2 in Nova Scotia
- 1 in Prince Edward Island
Church services are offered in different languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, and Korean. Some Canadian churches, mostly in Ontario, are still part of the LCMS in the United States.
Changes and Restructuring
In 2015, the Alberta-British Columbia (ABC) District faced financial difficulties. This led to a need for the district to reorganize its finances. Because of this situation, the LCC decided to make big changes to its national structure.
As a result, the ABC District, Central District, and East District were all combined into one national church body. This change took effect on January 2, 2019.
What LCC Believes
Like other traditional Lutheran groups, the LCC follows the teachings found in the Book of Concord. This book explains Lutheran beliefs, including the idea that the Bible is completely true and without error.
Communion and Baptism
The LCC practices "closed communion." This means that the special meal of communion is shared only with other Christians who agree with the LCC's teachings.
The LCC also practices infant baptism, where babies are baptized. Usually, young people need to complete "confirmation" classes to become full members of the church. The LCC works closely with other Lutheran church groups around the world, like the LCMS. Many LCC churches use the Lutheran Service Book for their hymns and worship.
Roles in the Church
While women do not serve as pastors in LCC churches, they do hold many important roles. Women can be elected or appointed to positions like teachers and deaconesses.
What LCC Does
The LCC has two special schools called seminaries where people train to become pastors:
- Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario (opened in 1976).
- Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta (opened in 1984).
Concordia University of Edmonton was started by the LCMS in 1921 to train Lutheran pastors. It was connected to the LCC from 1988 until 2010. In the past, the LCC also helped establish hospitals and homes for senior citizens. They also provided chaplains for military members and people in prisons.
The official records and history of the LCC were kept at the Lutheran Historical Institute in Edmonton. It closed in 2015 due to financial issues.
Global Missions
The LCC is involved in mission work around the world:
- Nicaragua: Work started here in 1997, leading to the creation of the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (Spanish: Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua) in 2008.
- Southeast Asia: The LCC helps train future pastors in countries like Thailand and Cambodia.
- Venezuela: They also support work in Venezuela.
- Ukraine: The LCC partners with other Lutheran churches in Ukraine to train pastors at Concordia Seminary near Odesa.
See also
- List of Christian denominations
