The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is an association of over 6,000 congregations with 2,540,000 baptized members.

The word "synod" is Latin for "walking together" and reflects the idea that all the congregations of this organization "walk together" to accomplish the work of the Lord.

The Missouri Synod was founded in 1849 in Perry County Missouri. Soon, Lutherans from other states joined the Synod and the name was changed to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Missouri, Ohio, and other states. Instead of adding a whole list of states, they returned to the original name the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS).

We are not limited to Missouri, nor to the United States. There are Missouri Synod congregations in 40 countries of the world, and we support other Lutheran ministries in 35 additional countries.

While many Christian denominations have succumbed to the erosion of Bible teaching, the LCMS has resisted the pressure to water down its theology to fit modern standards.

On the other hand, we have followed Paul's advice to "Be all things to all people so that we might by all means save some." While many LCMS congregations retain a traditional worship style, many other have followed Luther's example and express our faith through contemporary music. Luther used tavern songs as the basis for many of his hymns. Arms of Grace uses a contemporary style of worship.

If you'd like to read more about the LCMS, check out their Web Page.