What we Believe and Teach
Our Mission Statement
   Proclaiming the Gospel in truth and love so that all may have salvation in Christ.

Statement of Faith
We believe, teach, and confess the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe, teach, and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe in him.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.
The proclamation of God’s message to us as both law and gospel is the Word of God, revealing judgment and mercy in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 
The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God. Inspired by God’s Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and  announce God’s revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God’s Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world.

We believe, teach, and accept the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God  and the sole authoritative source and norm of our proclamation, faith, and life.

We accept the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the scriptural faith we believe, teach, and confess.

We believe, teach, and accept the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and the Small Catechism as true witnesses  to the Word of God, normative  for our teaching and practice.

We acknowledge that we are one in faith and doctrine with all churches that likewise accept the teachings of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.

We believe, teach, and confess the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord namely, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession,  the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid expositions of the Holy Scriptures.

We believe, teach, and confess the gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran confessional  writings, as the power of God to create and sustain the priesthood of all believers for God’s mission in the world.

We believe and confess that the Holy Spirit makes all who believe in Jesus Christ to be priests for service to others in Jesus’ name, and that God desires to make use of the spiritual gifts he has given through the priesthood of all believers.

Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
Questions and Answers

1.  What is LCMC?
LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) is an association of congregations and individuals who are:

• Free in Christ;
• Accountable to one another;
• Rooted in the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions;
• . . And working together to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations.

2.  What is distinctive about LCMC?
LCMC is a centrist Lutheran church body, recognizing Scripture as the sole source and norm of faith and life, and therefore being a light to, rather than a reflection of, the world.
LCMC is congregationally based. It recognizes that the congregation, gathered around Word and Sacrament, is the church.
LCMC celebrates the priesthood of all believers at every level. LCMC also constantly strives to support and uphold the pastoral ministry of the men and women called to serve its member congregations.
Congregations are entitled to send representatives to the annual gathering and convention of LCMC. Constitutional changes made at the annual convention require approval by two thirds of the member congregations in order to take effect. By-law changes made at the annual convention do not take effect if a majority of congregations register a negative vote.
3.  What are the financial implications of joining LCMC?
Membership in the association imposes no financial obligations on a congregation. The association depends entirely on contributions from congregations and individuals. We suggest giving a portion of benevolence dollars to the general fund of LCMC to help pay for communication, conventions, legal support, and expenses associated with coordinating the activities of our congregations. Additionally, LCMC has two restricted funds available for direct contribution: the Seminary Debt Relief Fund, and the Mission Congregation Fund.
4.  Does LCMC have a seminary?
LCMC works cooperatively with a number of seminaries around the country. LCMC has ministry standards that include course requirements for ensuring its pastors have a solid confessional Lutheran theological education.
5.  How do we call a pastor in LCMC?
Congregations may issue a pastoral call to whomever they choose. This may be a certified call or a contract call, as defined by our Ministry Standards. The association expects pastors and congregations to abide by our governing documents and Statement of Faith. A call packet is available to guide congregations through the process, however, responsibility for performing due diligence lies with the congregation.
6.  Does LCMC address social issues?
LCMC views the congregation as the primary expression of the church and generally does not speak for its members. However, in circumstances where the truth of God’s Word is being consistently challenged, the association may decide to speak to the issue. Therefore, a Pastoral Admonition on the Sanctity of Marriage has been adopted. It reads: “We affirm that God created us male and female, and that it is God’s will and intention that human sexual expression and fulfillment take place only within the boundaries of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:4-6; and Mark 10:2-9).  While neither adopting a social statement nor a pastoral admonition, the medical and benefits plan sponsored by LCMC does not cover abortion.
7.  How does a congregation join LCMC, or discontinue membership if so desired?
Congregations join LCMC by voting to do so by means appropriate to their congregation. After voting to join, a subscription form can be downloaded from our website. It should be filled out and signed by the proper congregational officers and then forwarded to the LCMC office. Congregations may terminate their association with LCMC at any time simply by informing LCMC of their decision. LCMC is a “no strings attached” association. Further, it makes no claim to property rights, nor does it attempt to influence congregational decision-making.

More information can be found at . . .
The LCMC web site, www.lcmc.net, has additional information, and includes a Statement of Faith, constitution and bylaws, educational and promotional material, and the LCMC newsletter. Written copies can be received by contacting the LCMC office.

Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, 7000 Sheldon Road, Canton, MI 48187-2753   Phone: 734-207-5400, Fax: 734-459-2311, Toll Free: 866-720-5262