Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Beliefs

What is the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod?

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) is an international collection of Lutheran Christians numbering a little over 2.6 million. In 1997 the LCMS celebrated its 150th anniversary. It's a long story, but the Missouri Synod got its name from a much longer title when the synod was formed over 150 years ago. At the time, the Missouri Synod encompassed a number of Midwestern states, and was called The Lutheran Church of Missouri, Ohio and Other States.

One of the strengths of the LCMS is its willingness to take a stand for what it believes. As Lutherans, we believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, and we are committed to the Lutheran interpretation of Scripture as stated in the Book of Concord, the collection of our confessions of faith. In a society that is increasingly pluralistic and hesitant to criticize just about anything, the LCMS is willing to say that, only what God says is right is truly right and that whatever God says is wrong is still wrong, even if we do live in the 21st century.

There are a little over 6,000 congregations in the 35 geographic districts of the LCMS (which generally follow state lines), and St. John Lutheran Church is a part of the Texas District. The LCMS has an extensive school system in which it is possible to attend from preschool through graduate school. There are 10 universities in the Concordia University System, one of which is located in Austin.

The LCMS is just one of many denominations that carries the name "Lutheran." There are about 58 million Lutherans worldwide, and we form the second largest denomination of Christians, after Roman Catholicism. Like any family, Lutherans don't always agree on every point, and that's why there are so many different Lutheran groups - over 100 at last count. The same is also true of other denominations. Many see this diversity as a sign of disunity among the Body of Christ while others see it as a system of checks and balances which helps to strengthen Christendom by guarding against false teaching.

The LCMS is committed to local autonomy. What that means is that each local congregation has its own unique personality. The doctrine - the church's teachings - in all of our congregations is the same: there is only one true God, and he is Triune (three persons in one God) - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and there is only one way to heaven- through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for you. We hold to the ecumenical creeds of Christianity: the Apostles', the Nicene and Athanasian. We have and celebrate two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. Within this similarity, however, there is room for diversity. The best way to get to know us is by making yourself at home among us. Every LCMS congregation would be delighted to have you visit them, and that is certainly true of St. John, too.