Comparison ELCA LCMC

Call Process Only those candidates approved by A congregation has the freedom to
the ELCA, and nominated by your call whomever it chooses to serve as
bishop can serve as your pastor. their pastor. Websites and a network
Background checks by Synod office. of contacts help provide
congregations with names of pastors
to consider. Background checks by
congregation.
Women pastors? ELCA and LCMC are the only large Lutheran denominations that do affirm
the call of women into called ministry.
Non–celibate Gay Yes No. A congregation which called a
pastors? pastor in violation of the Ministry
Standards would be removed from
the association.
Statement of Faith ELCA & LCMC have nearly identical statements of faith. Both claim the
Bible as the sole source and norm for faith and life. Many believe that the
ELCA’s recent actions are counter to that claim.
How are church wide Constitution and Ministry Standards Each congregation is entitled to send
decisions made? decisions are made at the Church at least two delegates to the national
Wide Assembly. Voting members of gathering. Once a change is made by
the church wide assembly are the national gathering, it must be
elected by synods, and each synod is ratified by 2/3rds of the
allocated one voting member for congregations, so every congregation
every 5800 members. Most changes gets a say in major decisions of the
are proposed by the 36 member association.
church council and voted on by the
church wide assembly. Voting
members are instructed that they are
not accountable to anyone.

How are benevolence Benevolence dollars are sent to the
dollars handled? Synod. Synods use about half of the
money for their administration and
local missions; the other half is sent
to the churchwide office. That
money is used for their
administration expenses and other
ministries.
.
Congregations are encouraged to give
some money to the administration of
LCMC. All other benevolence money
is distributed by local congregations
to the ministries-local, regional or
international-of their choice.
Structure? So-called “threefold expression ” of
congregation, Synod & churchwide
Property ownership? Congregation owns the property,
with some restrictions.
If we choose to leave? Two votes, passing with a 2/3rds
super-majority at least 90 days apart,
with “consultation” by the Bishop in
between, and in some cases, Synod
approval.
Youth National church schedules national
and regional conventions.
Women’s WELCA, a national organization is
organization funded by mission dollars and
operated out of the national
headquarters.
Worship & liturgy Congregations are given
“guidelines” and published
resources which tend toward
political correctness, gender-neutral
language & ecumenical theology.
Educational material Augsburg Fortress is the official
publisher for the church.
Camping Most synods own and operate
church camps.
Seminary and lay Eight seminaries and some synods
Education operate a Lay School of Theology
An Association of Congregations
with a very flat organizational
structure
Congregation owns the property.
One vote, simple majority.
Local congregations take
responsibility for organizing national
and regional gatherings and invite
other members of the Association.
Women of the Word (WOW) is a
small but growing, grassroots
organization.
Congregations are free to choose and
structure of their worship services for
their local setting. A variety of
resources are available, including
Reclaim Lutheran Worship
Resources.
Free to choose from a variety of
resources, including A-F, Concordia,
CSS, Group, Logos, Sola Publishing,
etc.
Free to support any Bible camp
program that the congregation deems
faithful. Some camping programs are
operated by LC MC churches.
Currently working with 11
seminaries; some students in training
at ELCA seminaries; Institute of
Lutheran Theology & Beyond the
River Academy provide additional
educational opportunities for all.
If there is a dispute, According to the ELCA, the ELCA
who interprets the Secretary in Chicago and the Bishop
constitution? are the only valid interpreters of the
constitutions.
What constitution can ELCA has a model constitution that
we use for our you are required to use and must get
church? approval for any changes.
What if we can’t In most places the ELCA mandates
afford a pastor? that only ordained pastors preside at
communion. Congregations without
pastors are not to celebrate the
Lord’s Supper.
Pension and Health Plans are in place and pension funds
Benefits for pastors & are fully vested and can be
staff? transferred.
How does one receive Depends who you ask. Some official
salvation? publications and websites speak of
salvation for the whole world,
regardless of faith.
Common sense and Webster’s
Dictionary work pretty well.
LCMC recommends that you consult
your state’s corporate law and write a
constitution that works for your
church.
LCMC understands that Luther’s
Biblically based principle of the
priesthood of all believers means that
a congregation can, if it chooses,
appoint one of their own number to
preach, teach and administer the
sacraments.
Plans are in place and pension funds
are fully vested and can be
transferred.
Salvation is through Jesus Christ
alone, given to us by grace through
faith in him.