LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD (LCMS)
The LCMS is recommended because:
- Strong commitment to biblical inerrancy and Lutheran Confessions
- Resisted liberal drift that captured the ELCA
- Complementarian position - does not ordain women
- Traditional Christian sexual ethics
- Closed communion practice shows doctrinal seriousness
- Excellent system of Lutheran education (day schools through seminary)
DENOMINATION BACKGROUND
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod was founded in 1847 by German immigrants who sought to preserve confessional Lutheran orthodoxy in America. The founding pastors, led by C.F.W. Walther, were concerned about rationalism and unionism in other Lutheran bodies.
The LCMS established Concordia Seminary and a system of Lutheran schools that continues today. The denomination faced a major crisis in the 1970s (Seminex controversy) when the majority of Concordia Seminary faculty left over issues of biblical interpretation. The denomination emerged from this crisis more firmly committed to biblical inerrancy.
Today the LCMS has approximately 6,000 congregations and 1.8 million baptized members.
The LCMS has maintained remarkable doctrinal stability:
- Consistent adherence to the Lutheran Confessions (Book of Concord)
- Affirms biblical inerrancy and verbal inspiration
- Closed communion practice
- Women not ordained as pastors
The 1970s Seminex crisis actually strengthened the denomination's conservative identity. Unlike the ELCA, the LCMS has not accommodated progressive theology on sexuality or Scripture.
- C.F.W. Walther (1811-1887): First President, founder of Concordia Seminary
- Franz Pieper (1852-1931): Theologian, author of "Christian Dogmatics"
- Walter A. Maier (1893-1950): Lutheran Hour radio preacher
- J.A.O. Preus II (1920-1994): President during Seminex controversy
- Matthew Harrison: Current LCMS President since 2010
- International Center (St. Louis, MO) - Headquarters with chapel
- Concordia Lutheran Church (Kirkwood, MO) - Historic congregation
- Village Lutheran Church (Ladue, MO) - Large St. Louis area church
- Grace Lutheran Church (River Forest, IL) - Near Concordia University Chicago
- Immanuel Lutheran Church (multiple locations) - Common LCMS church name
