The Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) is an association of evangelical Lutheran churches.
LCMC describes itself as an affiliation of autonomous Lutheran churches rather than a traditional denomination. The organization was established in 2001 in response to perceived liberal trends within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the adoption of the historic episcopate under the Called to Common Mission agreement, which established full communion between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA).
The movement began with 31 charter congregations and adopted its constitution in March 2001, growing to 46 congregations by its first national convention in October of that year.
LCMC emerged from the WordAlone Network as an alternative for congregations seeking reform outside the ELCA. By August 2024, membership had expanded to 1,000 congregations in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and sixteen other countries, with a total membership of approximately 300,000.
The association has steadily broadened its global partnership as of 2025, supports over 900 congregations worldwide with a full-time staff of six people based in its administrative office in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
LCMC is organized on a congregational model, vesting authority in each local congregation rather than a centralized hierarchy. It rejects the historic episcopate adopted by the ELCA, emphasizing the autonomy of congregations in calling and overseeing their pastors.
Governance occurs through annual national conventions, a Board of Trustees, and voluntary district affiliations (ten geographic and three non-geographic) that may be formed around geography, theology, or shared ministry interests.
LCMC's theology is rooted in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions as found in the Book of Concord. It upholds the Bible as the inspired Word of God. It subscribes to the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds, the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, and Luther's Small Catechism as normative for teaching and practice.
On human sexuality, LCMC does not bless same-sex partnerships and requires clergy to affirm that sexual expression belongs within a marriage between one man and one woman. On the issue of gender, it permits but does not require the ordination of women, allowing congregations discretion under their confessional standards.
LCMC's constitution and bylaws establish a few governing bodies. The national convention elects a Board of Trustees to oversee strategic direction. A Ministry Board is tasked with certifying pastors and maintaining a roster of clergy. Congregations voluntarily affiliated with congregational chapters or districts for mutual support. Each member congregation can send two voting delegates to the annual convention, plus one additional delegate for every 250 average weekly worship attendees above 500, to elect trustees and approve amendments to the constitution or bylaws.
LCMC affirms that ecumenical relationships grow organically through local congregation partnerships rather than through top-down mandates. Its 2011 Statement on Ecumenical Relationships encourages joint mission and ministry with other Christian bodies without compromising LCMC's theological distinctives.
The association holds that unity in Christ is a work of the Holy Spirit and invites congregations to cooperate with other denominations in mission, sharing the Gospel in word and deed, while maintaining confessional integrity.
The LCMC's distinctives include its centrist position between the more liberal ELCA and the more conservative Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) in its stance on polity, gender, and sexuality. The LCMC also affirms congregational autonomy, empowering each congregation to govern its own affairs, from worship style to pastoral calls. The LCMC welcomes congregations and pastors from various Lutheran backgrounds, reflecting a post-denominational ethos that prioritizes mission over institutional labels. The LCMC incorporates evangelical, liturgical, charismatic, and sacramental practices, allowing congregations to retain their worship identity while uniting around the Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
The LCMC has ten geographic and three non-geographic districts. The non-geographic districts are theologically oriented.
Topics related to the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
The Community of Faith is a Lutheran congregation in West Linn, Oregon. The intergenerational church is affiliated with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Its mission, values, and beliefs are outlined, along with its leadership team, ministries to men, women, youth, children, and community outreach programs. Its location, a calendar of upcoming services and events, livestreaming, and current sermon series are featured, and job opportunities are posted.
https://cofaith.net/
Heartland District is a geographical district of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), encompassing congregations in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota. Member congregations are listed on the district website, along with their core ministries, support services, upcoming events, governance, opportunities, resources, and contacts. The district's "Women of the Word" program, which unites women's groups in the district, is also defined, and events are announced on the site.
https://www.heartlanddistrict.com/
The Northwest District is a geographical district of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, uniting 63 congregations, a few fellowships, and individual associate members across Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, including urban, suburban, and rural congregations, as well as a handful of fellowships and individual associate members. Member congregations, it key programs and events, leadership, a newsletter, and contacts are posted.
https://lcmc-nw.com/
The Texas District is one of the regional bodies of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, an association of congregations rooted in the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. Over fifty congregations across Texas partner in LCMC Texas District. Its mission and core convictions, structure and leadership, programs and events, membership and congregations, contacts, and other resources are featured on the website. Supply positions and open pastors are noted.
https://www.lcmctexas.org/
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
LCMC is an association of Lutheran churches formed in 2001 in response to theological shifts in the ELCA. Its history, membership data, board and staff, networking, church planting, and pastoral ministries are set forth, along with a directory of member churches, church plants, pastors, seminarians, districts, and groups. Applications, forms, meeting minutes, sample documents, and LCMC events are set forth, along with videos, podcasts, photos, and an online store.
https://www.lcmc.net/
