What We Believe

Who Is The LCMS?

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), with nearly 2 million baptized members in some 6,100 congregations coast to coast, is a mission-oriented, Bible-based, confessional Christian denomination headquartered in St. Louis. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ.

Grace, Word, Faith

Founded in 1847, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod accepts the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that launched the Lutheran Reformation of the Christian church in the 16th century. We believe that the Lutheran Confessions are the correct interpretation and presentation of biblical doctrine. Our central teachings can be summed up in three phrases:

• Grace alone.

• Word alone.

• Faith alone.

Going Forth in All Nations!

A long-standing emphasis on and commitment to “go and make disciples of all nations” drives the people of the LCMS to reach out to those around them with the Gospel in word and deed. We focus on building mission alliances to reach the lost, plant churches, train local leaders and revitalize mission involvement. Also, we provide military, veterans affairs and prison chaplaincy programs. The LCMS places great emphasis on education and pastoral instruction. Our congregations administer the largest Protestant school system in the United States through our preschools, elementary schools and high schools. In addition, two seminaries and nine colleges and universities operate under the auspices of the LCMS. We provide domestic and international aid; disaster response and human-care services, including life and health ministries; national housing support; specialized pastoral ministry; and deaconess programs.