LCMS vs ELCA, What's the Difference?

What are the differences between the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America? How do these two churches view the Scriptures, and what is the result of this difference?

[amaliexmintyy]

I'm a lutheran pastor from Norway. Thanks for providing this video, it helped me to understand the differences between the LCMS and the ELCA. The lutheran church of Norway (former state church) is very similar to the ELCA with it's Personally, I'd prefer the profile of the LCMS. Good to see there are lutheran churches as the LCMS sticking to Gods word.

[leonardsmalls]

I was baptized in what would become the ELCA sixty years ago. I am getting to the end of my "crisis of doctrine". LCMS here I come. Thank you for your help pastor Wolfmueller.

[cwstreeper]

Your explanation of scriptural differences in this video was such a blessing to me. I had been investigating Lutheranism and was unaware of denominational differences believing Lutheran churches were akin to structure as the Catholic Church or UMC. Unknowingly my first few visits were to an ELCA congregation.

Your videos have helped me alot. The LCMS & AALC give me some hope. I just ordered a copy of the Book of Concord and Luther's Small Chatechism and began reaching out to Lutheran pastors such as yourself.

I am extremely grateful for your ministry!

[leannepangga]

I am a Lutheran from Papua New Guinea. It's interesting to see differences in different churches from Lutheran denomination in USA. Thank you for clarifying the differences among the Churches there. It is sad to see that we are loosing our original Lutheran Doctrines. Keep up your good work and God Bless.

[johnhouchins]

As a member of the WELS, I share your pain. It gets tiring to point out, "That's not us!" I AM happy to point out our differences with ELCA, but it does get tiring. We'll keep holding to the Bible, thank you very much.

[jsharp]

As N.T. Wright once said, "The Church that forgets to say “we must obey God rather than human authorities” has forgotten what it means to be the Church. The spirit of the age [or culture] is in any case notoriously fickle. You might as well, walking in the mist, take a compass bearing on a mountain goat."

[mysticmouse]

Beautifully and Christianly done. A great lesson on how to deal with doctrinal differences.

[lutheran]

I just found this podcast. I am pastor at Zion Lutheran in Kerrville, TX. Very well said. I left the ELCA IN 2000.

[jillefeldme]

My husband is a lifelong Lutheran. He was born into, baptized and confirmed in ELCA church. I joined in 1986. We had many frustrations with our church over the years, but we loved our congregation. We kept saying that our church was a little different from the ELCA as a whole. However, I hit a breaking point at the beginning of the lockdown. Our church went entirely on Zoom. One such “service” involved telling us that we are all racist. That’s when I had enough. I started attending an LCMS church. Not long after, my husband joined me. It has been almost 4 years and I couldn’t be happier. Salvation through grace alone, Faith alone. Sola scriptura.

[jgmahurin]

Im Presbyterian PCA but we definitely relate to this with the PCUSA. Very interesting video and learned a lot about the Lutheran synods.

[roberthardisty]

Very well presented. I will stay with LCMS !

[billmiller]

I am a life_long member of the LCMS related to a retired ELCA Pastor. Your explanation of the source of ELCA error arising from the foundational error of higher criticism is spot on. Thanks for bringing such clarity to the issue.

[gineenkucherak]

Thank you for this enlightening explanation! I am a born and raised LCMS member. Your talk really helped my understanding of the differences I have seen over the course of my life, and I appreciated this much! God bless the work you are doing to get "The Word" out. Keep telling the story and your story. Loved your paper helpers!

[daverogg]

I'm not a Lutheran (yet) but this sounds just like what I am dealing with. My churches (non-denominational) that I associate with are allowing the culture to dictate everything. Thus, overriding the Bible. Sad.

[karlkoeppen]

My background - LCA, then ELCA, then to LCMS.
I saw the handwritiing on the wall a long time ago. Focusing more on going to the lowest common denominator than standing up for God's Word.

[rickpettey]

Approximately 30 years ago the late E.L.C.A. Bishop McDaniel gave a presentation at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, regarding his church body. He remained in it in order to try and bring it around to Scriptural faithfulness. In his presentation he clearly stated that his own church was not Lutheran (i.e., holding to the authority of God's Word as taught in The Lutheran Confessions) and if it kept going the way it was it would no longer even be Christian. He didn't mean that there were no true Lutherans/Christians in the E.L.C.A but rather that as a church body according to its doctrine and practice it could no longer claim to be Christian. He didn't live to see his prophecy come true. Today, the E..L.C.A. is not a Lutheran church body and worse not Christian. You cannot advocate open sin (abortion/murder, homosexuality, co-habitation, etc.) and be a Christian church. To every pastor and person in authority in the E.L.C.A. God's Word to Ezekiel is directly on point! Ezekiel 3:17-18 (ESV) 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
18 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die, ’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Kyrie Eleison!

[stevebriner]

Awesome - love the old school paper based visuals!

[jonsolo]

What a thorough, yet concise and simplified explanation of some key differences. I always highly value your input on such issues and this is no exception

[Nornagest]

I'm from Germany and it's very interesting to me how the churches in the USA are organized.
At least you have organizations that are distinct. Here the teachings vary from church to church and you have to find out the hard way if it's right.
And of course it's becoming more and more difficult to stick with scripture against pressure from media and society. 😞
Good bless you!

[cdunphy]

I watched this again because in my area they have a lot of women Pastors. however in watching it again thank you pastor Wolfmueller I like it when you break out the cards it was very helpful for me I liked how you explained it thank you, GOD bless you and praise the LORD always