| Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod |
Article Index for Lutheran Church |
Shopping Lutheran |
Website Links For Lutheran Church |
Information AboutLutheran Church - Missouri Synod |
|
HISTORY The Missouri Synod emerged from several communities of German Lutheran immigrants during the 1830s and 1840s. In Indiana , Ohio and Michigan , isolated Germans in the dense forests of the American frontier were brought together and cared for by missionary F.C.D. Wyneken . A movement of Confessional Saxon Lutherans under Martin Stephan created a community in Perry County, Missouri and St. Louis, Missouri . In Michigan and Ohio, Missionaries sent by Wilhelm Löhe cared for scattered congregations and founded German Lutheran communities in Frankenmuth, Michigan and the Saginaw Valley of Michigan. The Saxon immigration In the 19th-century German Kingdom of Saxony , Lutheran pastor Martin Stephan and many of his followers found themselves increasingly at odds with the Rationalism and unionism of the state-sponsored Lutheranism in Saxony. The Prussian Union of 1817 forced Lutherans to, among other changes, embrace non-Lutheran services of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism. In order to freely practice what they saw as pure Lutheranism, Stephan and 750 other Saxon Lutherans left for the United States in November 1838 . Their ship arrived January 5 , 1839 in New Orleans , and most of the immigrants settled in Perry County, Missouri and in and around St. Louis. Stephan was initially the Bishop of the new settlement, but he soon became embroiled in charges of corruption and sexual misconduct with members of the congregation, and was expelled from the settlement, leaving C.F.W. Walther as the leader of the colony. During this period there was considerable debate within the settlement over the proper role of the church in the New World: whether it was a new church, or remained within the German Lutheran hierarchy. Walther's view that they could consider themselves a new church prevailed. Organization of the Missouri Synod On April 26 , 1847 , twelve pastors representing 15 German Lutheran congregations met in Chicago, Illinois and founded a new church body, "The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States." Walther became the fledgling denomination's first president. In its early days the synod was conservative on a number of issues. Following Walther's lead, the church strongly opposed Humanism and religious Syncretism . It opposed Abolitionism based on Biblical passages which it taught neither approved of nor condemned Slavery . Under the leadership of its second President, F.C.D. Wyneken , the Missouri Synod poured much effort into caring for German immigrants, helping them find a home among other Germans, building churches and parochial schools and providing pastors and teachers to serve in them. As a result, the new synod grew quickly during the 19th century, reaching 685,000 members by 1897. Transition to English As one scholar has explained, "The overwhelming evidence from internal documents of these Synod churches, and particularly their schools...indicates that the German-American school was a bilingual one much (perhaps a whole generation or more) earlier than 1917, and that the majority of the pupils may have been English-dominant bilinguals from the early 1880's on."[http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/540/handouts/gachurch/biggac.html] Until the United States' involvement in the First World War , the older members of the synod remained overwhelmingly German in its language, but younger members had long switched to English. The anti-German sentiment during the war enabled the younger generation to "Americanize" the church's image and switch the remaining German services to English. As a result over the next half-century the synod's membership doubled. In 1947 , the church body shortened its name from "The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States," to the present one, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Consensus and division Since the last half of the 20th century, the Missouri Synod has struggled through a number of internal disputes over its doctrinal, theological, and social positions. The most bruising battle took place in the early and mid- 1970s , when clashes over scriptural interpretation and Academic Freedom led the vast majority of the students and faculty at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis to leave that institution. The faculty and students formed a rival institution known as Seminex , or Concordia Seminary in Exile. Prompted by this walkout, about 250 congregations left the Missouri Synod in 1976 to form the Association Of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC), one of the predecessor bodies to the ELCA . After a period of relative calm in the 1980s , disputes reemerged in the 1990s . The LCMS is now divided into two informal camps or wings, each comprised of a number of more-or-less formally organized groups. To some extent they defy definition: one side calls itself conservative and the other side liberal; those called liberals often regard themselves as conservative themselves, and the other side as repristinators. Neither side is likely accurate with their labels. Some of the formalized groups on both sides include “traditionalist” groups such as Reclaiming Walther , Christian News , and Consensus , and “evangelical” groups such as Jesus First , Day Star , Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) and Voices/Vision . There are a range of views among these groups concerning the life of the church. Differences are found concerning worship style, Ecumenical fellowship with other church bodies, and the role of women in the church. For instance, the DayStar group advocates the ordination of women; Jesus First remains silent on the issue; conservative groups officially oppose it. Tensions between the Synod’s two wings flared in the months following September 11, 2001 , after Atlantic District President David Benke took part in an event at Yankee Stadium to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attack on New York City . The "traditionalists" see the event as an Inter-faith worship service, while "evangelicals" see it as a civil event (arguing that the common elements which define a "worship service" were missing) which allowed prayer. Many in the traditional camp argued that Benke, by participating in an event alongside non-Lutheran clergy and leaders of non-Christian faiths, had engaged in practices that the Synod condemns as " Syncretism " and "unionism." They typically define the event as a religious worship service (and must do so for the argument of syncretism/unionism to hold). People within the traditional camp brought a series of formal charges against Pres. Benke and actively sought his expulsion from the Synod. [And...? This needs a finishing note.] TEACHINGS OF THE LCMS Doctrinal sources and standards ( Formal Principle ) One of the signature teachings of the Lutheran Reformation is the teaching named Sola Scriptura – "Scripture alone." The Missouri Synod believes that the Bible is the only standard by which teachings and doctrines can be judged. It also holds that the Holy Scripture is explained and interpreted by The Book Of Concord – a series of Confessions of faith composed by Lutherans in the 16th century. Missouri Synod pastors and congregations agree to teach in harmony with the Book of Concord ''because'' it teaches and faithfully explains the Word of God. For this reason, many Missouri Synod Lutherans who follow the Book of Concord closely refer to themselves as Confessional Lutheran s. The Missouri Synod also teaches Biblical Inerrancy . {Link without Title} For this reason, they reject much of modern liberal scholarship. Major Doctrine s ( Material Principle ) Salvation The Missouri Synod believes that Justification comes from God "by Divine Grace alone, through faith alone, for Christ's sake alone." It teaches that Jesus is the focus of the entire Bible and that faith in him alone is the way to eternal salvation. The church rejects any attempt to attribute salvation to anything other than Christ's death and resurrection. The means of grace The Synod teaches that the Word of God, both written and preached, and the are considered by some to be a sacrament, because they were instituted by Christ and have His promise of grace, even though they are not tied to a physical element. Sacramental Union and the Lord's Supper Regarding the Eucharist, the LCMS rejects the Roman Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation and the Reformed teaching that the Lord's Supper is merely a symbolic act. Rather, it believes in the doctrine of the Sacramental Union , that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present "in, with, and under" the elements of bread and wine. It is occasionally reported by some non-Lutherans that the LCMS and other Lutherans teach the doctrine of Consubstantiation which the LCMS rejects. Eschatology The Missouri Synod flatly rejects ." They believe that all will be caught up (raptured for lack of a better term) on the Last Day , the end of time. The church's focus tends to be on immediate salvation rather than on the End Times . Creation The LCMS is officially Creationist opposed to the teaching of Evolution . {Link without Title} Law and Gospel The LCMS, along with certain other Lutheran Church Bodies, also teaches the doctrine of the distinction between God's "Law" and God's "Gospel." The Missouri Synod believes that the Holy Scriptures contain only two teachings – the Law and the Gospel. The Law is all those parts of the Bible that provide commands and instructions, which the LCMS believes are impossible to completely obey. Therefore, the Law is a statement of God's wrath, judgement, and damnation. The Gospel, on the other hand, is the portions of Scripture that promise free salvation from God, even to sinners. The law always condemns, the Gospel always promises. Both the Law and the Gospel are gifts from God; both are necessary. The function of the law is to show a person their sinful nature and drive them to the Gospel, where the forgiveness of sin is promised for the sake of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The LCMS insists that both the Old and the New Testament teach both Law and Gospel. The Old Testament, therefore, is valuable to Christians. Its teachings point forward in time to the Cross of Christ in the same way that the New Testament points backward in time to the Cross. This vital LCMS doctrine was most famously summarized by C. F. W. Walther in his book, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel. The doctrine of Law And Gospel is unique to some Lutheran denominations, however not all Lutheran denominations teach this doctrine. Those that teach the doctrine of Law And Gospel believe that it answers all questions raised by Liberal Christianity. PRACTICES The Missouri Synod is also conservative in its worship practices. The LCMS endorses the doctrine of close or Closed Communion – the policy of sharing the Lord's Supper only with Christians who believe that everything it teaches about the Christian faith is true. There is a variety of ways in which Missouri Synod congregations put close communion into practice, most often asking visitors to speak with the Pastor before coming to that congregation's altar for the first time. The Missouri Synod's Constitution indicates that one of its purposes is to strive toward uniformity in practice, while also encouraging responsible and doctrinally-sound diversity. The synod requires that hymns, songs, rituals and practices be in harmony with the teachings of the synod. Historically, worship in Missouri Synod congregations is traditional and Liturgical , utilizing a printed order of service, a Hymnal and traditional Hymn s, accompanied by a Pipe Organ or other classical instruments. In recent years, many congregations have adopted a variety of less formal worship styles, employing Contemporary Christian Music , pianos, guitars and other instruments. The Missouri Synod teaches that the Ordination Of Women as clergy is contrary to scripture. The issue of women's roles in the church body has continued to be a subject of great debate within the Synod. Women received the right to suffrage within Missouri Synod congregations in 1969 , and it was decided in a narrow vote at the Synod's 2004 convention that women may also "serve in humanly established offices" such as congregation president, reader, or usher. Several caucuses within the Synod are currently pressing for a wider-ranging reevaluation of the issue of the ordination of women, although at the present time, they are a distinct minority. A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod provides a summary of the major beliefs of the LCMS. CHURCH STRUCTURE The Synodical structure is Congregational (run by congregations) instead of Episcopal (run by bishops), although, unlike some other Protestant denominations, this is not considered to be a point of doctrine, as the Synod is in fellowship with some Lutheran church bodies in Europe that have an episcopal structure. Congregations are served by a full-time professional clergy. The corporate LCMS is formally constituted of two types of members: autonomous local congregations that qualify for membership by mutual agreement to adhere to stated principles, and clergymen who qualify by similar means. Congregations hold legal title to their church buildings and other property, and call and dismiss their own clergy. Much of the practical work of the LCMS structure is as a free employment brokerage to bring the two together; it also allows the congregations to work together on projects far too large for even a local consortium of congregations to accomplish, such as foreign mission work. The entire synod is divided into Districts , usually corresponding to a specific geographic area, as well as two non-geographical districts, the English and the SELC, which were formed when the formerly separate English Missouri Synod and the Slovak Synod, respectively, merged with the formerly German-speaking Missouri Synod. Each district is led by an elected District President , who must be an ordained clergyman. Most district presidencies are full-time positions, but there are a few exceptions in which the district president also serves as a parish pastor. The districts are subdivided into circuits, each of which is led by Circuit Counselor , who is an ordained pastor from one of the member congregations. The LCMS as a whole is led by an ordained Synodical President, currently Gerald B. Kieschnick . The President is chosen at a synodical convention, a gathering of the two membership groups (professional clergymen, and Lay Representatives from the member congregations). The convention is held every three years; discusions of doctrine and policy take place at these events, and elections are held to fill various Synodical positions. LCMS pastors are generally required to have a four-year bachelor's degree (in any discipline), as well as a four-year in St. Louis or the Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana or at the two seminaries run by the Lutheran Church - Canada . Candidates may earn their Master Of Divinity degree at other seminaries but must then take colloquy classes at either St. Louis or Ft. Wayne. Seminary training includes classwork in historical theology, Biblical languages ( Biblical Greek and Hebrew ), practical application (education, preaching, and mission), and doctrine (the basic teachings and beliefs of the church). It has been noted that the seminaries of the LCMS are some of the most difficult seminaries in the United States as the LCMS has a strong focus on education. Ordination Ordination is seen as a public ceremony of recognition that a man has received and accepted a divine call, and hence is considered to be in the office of the ministry. The LCMS does not believe ordination is an extension of Apostolic Succession but sees the office grounded in the word and sacrament ministry of the Gospel. ORGANIZATIONS In addition to its Two Seminaries , the LCMS operates ten universities known as the Concordia University System . Among the LCMS's other auxiliary organizations are the Lutheran Laymen's League , which conducts outreach ministries including '' The Lutheran Hour '' radio program, and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League . The synod also operates a publishing company, Concordia Publishing House . RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CHURCH BODIES Maintaining its position as a confessional church emphasizing the importance of full agreement in the teachings of the Bible, the LCMS is not associated with ecumenical organizations such as the National Council Of Churches , the National Association Of Evangelicals , the World Council Of Churches or the Lutheran World Federation . However, it is a member of the International Lutheran Council , made up of over 30 Lutheran Churches worldwide that support the confessional doctrines of the Bible and The Book Of Concord . With 2.6 million members, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is the second largest American Lutheran denomination, after the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America (ELCA) with 5.1 million members, and followed by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod with 410,000. The LCMS is distinguished from its closest non-LCMS Lutheran US denomination – the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) – by three main theological beliefs: #The biblical understanding of fellowship – the LCMS believes in a distinction between the altar, pulpit fellowship, and other manifestations of Christian fellowship (i.e., a prayer fellowship). The WELS does not. #The doctrine of the ministry – the LCMS believes that the Pastoral office is divinely established, but all other offices are human institutions and hence are not divinely established. The WELS believes that other offices, such as teachers, are also divinely established. #The role of women in the church – Both the LCMS and WELS agree that Scriptures reserve the pastoral office for men. However, the WELS also believes that the Scriptures forbid women's suffrage in the congregation. PRESIDENTS
SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
PRINT RESOURCES History Historical documents and accounts
The Seminex controversy
Missions
General
|
|
|