Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), also known more simply as the "Missouri Synod", is the largest conservative Lutheran denomination. It is the second largest Lutheran body in the United States, with a (2010) baptized membership of 2.28 million and a (2010) confirmed membership of 1.76 million.[1]
This Protestant denomination was founded in April 1847, when 12 pastors representing 15 congregations signed a constitution that established "The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States." The members were German immigrants from Saxony, outraged that the forced unification of the Lutheran and Reformed churches had created too liberal a national church.
In 2010, the church reported 6,158 churches, with 5,369 active, ordained clergy.[1] It is concentrated in the Midwest, to the north and northwest of its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. It takes a conservative position on theological and social issues, and has expelled those who doubt the inerrancy of the Bible.
Many Lutheran schools are affiliated with LCMS.
Further reading
- Coburn, Carol K. Life at Four Corners: Religion, Gender, and Education in a German-Lutheran Community, 1868-1945. (1992). 227 pp.
- Graebner, Alan. Uncertain Saints: The Laity in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, 1900-1970. (1975). 284 pp.
- Lueker, Erwin Louis, ed. Lutheran cyclopedia (1954) 1160 pages covering all topics.
- Meyer, Carl S. Log Cabin to Luther Tower: Concordia Seminary During One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years. Toward a More Excellent Ministry, 1839-1964 (1966)
- Todd, Mary. Authority Vested: A Story of Identity and Change in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. (2000). 336 pp.
External links
History:
Videos:
- Meet The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, video by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Church
- A Brief History of the LCMS (Pastor Polzin)
- An Outsider Talks With a Lutheran Theologian (What do Lutherans Believe?), Interview with a pastor of a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod church
See also
- Martin Luther
- Philipp Melanchthon
- Infant baptism
- Essay: Water baptism cannot save, the Church cannot save, Born again by faith alone
- North American Lutheran Church
- American_Christianity
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Synod stats: membership drops, giving increases Hoops, Linda C., The Reporter Online, the Official Newspaper of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, reporter.lcms.org, retrieved October 26, 2011
