Lutheran Family Churches
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
General Notes
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed January 1, 1988, by
the merger of the Lutheran Church in America, the American Lutheran Church, and
the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. This merger created not only
the largest Lutheran body in America, but the fifth largest denomination in
America. A continuing point of controversy has been whether to accept modern
biblical criticism, with some charging that it challenges the inerrancy of
Scripture. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is considered the most
liberal of Lutheran church bodies in North America. It has as its doctrinal
standard the Bible and the Augsburg Confession.
Specific Religious Practices
Holy days are Sundays, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter,
Christmas and Pentecost. Sacraments are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Infant
Baptism is permitted. Baptism is seen as important but not necessary. Reception
of Communion is open to all Christians over ten years of age. Baptism and the Lord’s
Supper may be ministered to the sick in the hospital.
Understanding of Healing
Prayers are offered for healing, and there is a specific "Service of
the Word for Healing" which may be used. There is also a rite for
Anointing of the Sick.
Reproductive Issues
Artificial insemination is approved if the husband is the donor.
Abortion
Abortion on demand is not approved.
End of Life Issues/Terminal Care
Prolonging of life is not required. Euthanasia is opposed. Locally a
representative of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America signed the Interfaith Letter on Physician-Assisted Suicide.
Transplantation/Organ Donation
Transplantation and donation are encouraged.
Autopsy is strongly approved, and cremation is accepted as a funeral option.
There are specific funeral rites. A fetus is buried if it had reached at least
the 6th or 7th month of gestation.
Membership
In 1996, total membership was 5,180,910.
Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod
General Notes
This Church is one of the most conservative of the Lutheran churches. It
rejects the ordination of women and uses a congregational church structure.
There has been significant controversy over how literally Scripture is to be
interpreted.
Specific Religious Practices
In addition to Sunday, special days are Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, and Christmas. Sacraments are Baptism and
Holy Communion. Baptism is considered very important, and infants are baptized.
Baptism may be administered by any Christian in the name of the Trinity, but a
Lutheran clergyman is preferred. Holy Communion, administered by a Lutheran
clergyman, is often requested by a person critically ill or facing surgery. If
at all possible Communion should be received by the patient’s pastor or a
minister directly and specifically delegated by him.
Understanding of Healing
Faith healing as such is not accepted.
Reproductive Issues
There is no stated position on genetics, birth control, sterility testing,
or artificial insemination.
Abortion is permitted to save the life of the mother. No stated position on
other situations.
Prolonging of life is not required. Euthanasia is opposed.
Transplantation/Organ Donation
No official church position.
The funeral is intended to comfort the family. There are no special
restrictions. Autopsy is an individual decision. The body should be treated
with respect.
Membership
In 1996, total membership was 2,601,730.
Comments received:
Artificial
insemination is generally opposed, but there has been no clear statement in
convention. Transplantation is allowed. Also, while there has been
considerable debate as to the interpretation of scripture, we have been very
clear (and many liberals have left because of it) that scripture is the
inspired, inerrant word of God. It is accurate not only to the
theological, but the historical content.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am a seminary
student of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. I appreciate the
monumental task you have undertaken. However, one point needs correction
in your section on the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS, at its
1971 convention (before Roe v. Wade) declared that it was opposed to abortion,
except to save the life of the mother. That stance has been renewed no less
than three times since then in convention. Our Commission on theology and
Church Relations (CTCR) has produced multiple documents on this issue - all
against. While the books you have used may not mention it, I can assure
you that the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is vehemently opposed to
abortion...
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
General
Notes
The Wisconsin Synod takes a stance slightly more conservative than the
Missouri Synod. It is especially opposed to merger without doctrinal unity on
all points.
The Encyclopedia Britannica states: "Church members of the Wisconsin
Synod are forbidden to cooperate in any community organizations with members of
other church groups if prayers are offered, since the synod maintains that
praying with others involves accepting their beliefs. Membership in lodges and
the Boy Scouts is forbidden, and pastors may not be military chaplains."
Specific Religious Practices
Communion may be requested by a patient before surgery from a chaplain or
pastor. Baptism may be administered by someone other than the pastor in an
emergency using the name of the Triune God.
Understanding of Healing
God’s healing outside of medical means is recognized, without excluding
medical treatment.
Reproductive Issues
Birth control is not acceptable in marriage when used to frustrate the purpose
of marriage. Artificial insemination is acceptable if the husband is the donor.
Genetics and sterility testing are acceptable.
Abortion
Acceptable for incest, rape, or to save the mother’s life.
End of Life Issues/Terminal Care
Prolonging dying is disapproved. Euthanasia is opposed in favor of relieving
suffering and pain via drug therapy.
Transplantation/Organ Donation
Generally permitted.
A funeral is used for adults and children. A graveside rite is used for
premature or stillborn babies. When civil law does not insist on the burial of
a fetus neither does the church. Autopsies are encouraged. Cremation is usually
used only in epidemic or unusual circumstances.
Membership
In 1996, membership in the United States was 412,942.
~~~~~~~~~~
Comments received:
...The position of
the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) on abortion is incorrectly
stated on your site. The WELS sanctions the use of abortion only as a LAST
RESORT when deemed medically necessary to save the life of the mother. The WELS
does NOT sanction abortion in cases of rape and incest.
For further
clarification on our position on life issues, please check the WELS Lutherans
for Life web site at http://www.wels.net/sab/frame5.html.
That WELS home page (http://www.wels.net) also includes doctrinal statements and other clarifications that may be helpful to you in your research.