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We are rooted and grounded in the
Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.
Lutherans always have celebrated the freedom we
have in Christ. Our freedom is based in the Biblical
Our association is firmly committed to accept‐
notion of freedom that Paul set forth in Romans 6. It
ing the normative authority of the Bible. We
is a wonderful paradox that Christians find their
Consider
Consider
reject the notion that science, personal experi‐
freedom by being bound to Christ. As we submit
ence, tradition, or other human endeavors
ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ we discover
have equal footing with the Bible. We are cer‐
the joy of real freedom.
tainly aware that these endeavors contribute
Your
Your
to our conversations and deliberations, but the
We are accountable to one another. Bible must be our final authority in matters of
faith and practice. We also believe that the
LCMC is an association of congregations. We have a Lutheran Confessions offer us accurate inter‐
great respect for the reality that the church is where
Options
Options
pretations of the Biblical witness and we com‐
the people of God are gathered together around mit ourselves to being guided by them in our
Word and Sacrament. The local congregation is life together as an association.
where the church becomes a concrete reality for
God’s people. We are working together to fulfill
At the same time we are joyously aware that each
Christ’s Great Commission to go and
congregation is a part of the greater body of Christ. make disciples of all nations.
The actions of each congregation within our associa‐ Give us a few
tion reflect on our association as a whole. And the LCMC has one primary mission: that of sharing
actions of our association reflect on the whole body the life‐giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are minutes to
of Christ. For this reason we have committed our‐
selves to a common set of ministry standards.
focused on starting congregations in this coun‐
try, supporting missionaries around the world,
tell you
and raising up and training leaders to serve about
Congregations have significant latitude in ordering Christ and His church. LCMC is committed to
and shaping ministry in their local setting, and we knowing Jesus and to making Jesus known. The
intentionally have made joining and leaving the as‐ association is dedicated to helping member
sociation simple. We have also agreed to a discipli‐ congregations carry out this mission.
nary process for addressing congregations whose
actions violate our agreed upon statements of faith
and practice.
7000 N Sheldon Rd.
Canton MI 48187
866‐720‐5262
www.lcmc.net
Dear Pastor and Church Leader,
Today there are many signals of spiritual confusion Who are we?
and ecclesiastical unrest. The watering down of the
How does LCMC benefit your church?
We are Lutheran Christians committed to fulfilling Congregations have direct representation in
Scripture and minimizing of our historic Lutheran Christ’s Great Commission by starting mission congre‐
Confessions are at the center of our Christian the affairs of the Association. Each congrega‐
gations in this country and around the world. We are
concern. tion is entitled to delegates that represent
also committed to training men and women to serve
them at the yearly Gathering and Convention.
as pastors and lay leaders in our churches.
If you find yourself troubled or anxious about your Congregations maintain complete control over
future as a Lutheran leader, if you want to be faith‐ their property.
We are currently 226 congregations throughout
ful to your Biblically based beliefs, we urge you to Congregations determine how they will call
America and eight other countries. For the present
read on. their next pastor and who it will be. They deal
about one‐quarter of our congregations also maintain
directly with the pastoral candidates.
membership in other Lutheran bodies. About ten
Chances are you know little about LCMC even LCMC provides a structure and a network of
percent are mission churches that are already under‐
though we are nearly ten years old. Furthermore, like‐minded churches through districts. These
way.
we are not a revised version of any Lutheran church districts are either geographic or non‐
body. We are not a traditional denomination at all, geographic. There are both kinds and the num‐
We understand the church of Christ to be the people
but an association of confessional evangelical Lu‐ ber is growing! Each is organized to assist
of God who gather around the Word and Sacraments.
theran congregations and pastors from Augusta to congregations in their local and worldwide
We believe that it is primarily here that faith is born
Seattle, from Manhattan Beach to Philadelphia, ministries.
and nurtured and lives are changed by the power of
from Mexico to Viet Nam.
the Spirit. Hence, LCMC is not an ecclesiastical super‐
structure with multiple levels of authority and power, Want to know more about LCMC?
We believe that God has been working a miracle but a congregationally centered and empowered fel‐
among us! We have no other explanation. We want lowship of believers. Start with your telephone. Call us toll free
to tell you about what’s happening. We want you to Monday through Friday at 866‐720‐5262.
be aware of how our Association can benefit you How does LCMC benefit pastors? Or drop us a line at our office at
and your congregation. We also want to answer 7000 N Sheldon Rd.,
LCMC has an excellent insurance program via
your questions. Canton, Michigan 48187.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota. Several
options are provided to suit the needs of pastors When you call, ask for Rev. Bill Sullivan, the
If, after reading this introductory information, you Service Coordinator. He is personable and will
and church workers.
have further questions about LCMC, contact our be of great help.
LCMC has a first rate pension program held by
office in Canton, Michigan. Our staff handles many
American Funds and administered by Edward Be sure to look in on the LCMC website at
such calls. They are eager to respond. We encourage www.lcmc.net. Here you will find an abun‐
Jones Investments. In addition, pastors have a
you to consider a future in Lutheran Congregations dance of material, including our Constitution
great deal of control over their individual pen‐
in Mission for Christ (LCMC). and Bylaws and, most important, our State‐
sion fund.
ment of Faith. Read it carefully. Discover what
Pastors and congregations deal directly with one
– The Board of Trustees binds LCMC together as a body of believers!
another in the call process. There is no required
ecclesiastical third party involved.
LCMC Board Members Connect with Bill Sullivan at:
LCMC conducts a stimulating Leadership Confer‐
(August 2009)
ence annually for recharging the spiritual batter‐
Larry Lindstrom, Chair Paul Braafladt wtsullivan@sbcglobal.net
ies of pastors and lay leaders.
Kirk Dean Anne Gran
Rebecca Lee Chris Magnell
Sue McKenzie John Waak