The Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod
Mission of the Cross Lutheran Church is a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS is a confessional Lutheran church body founded in 1847. On its official website, the Synod describes itself as Bible-based and mission-oriented, with doctrine that reflects the teaching of Dr. Martin Luther as summarized in The Book of Concord. For congregations like Mission of the Cross, this means our life together is rooted in Holy Scripture, centered in Jesus Christ, and shaped by the historic confession of the Lutheran Church.
What the LCMS Believes
The LCMS teaches that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God and that the central message of Scripture is salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The Synod’s official beliefs page summarizes Lutheran teaching with the familiar Reformation emphases of Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone. In other words, sinners are not saved by personal merit or religious achievement, but by the mercy of God given through Jesus Christ, who died and rose for the salvation of the world. This Gospel stands at the heart of the Church’s preaching, teaching, and worship.
A Confessional Lutheran Church Bod
To be part of the LCMS is to belong to a church body that openly confesses the historic Christian faith and the Lutheran Confessions. The Synod points to The Book of Concord as the faithful summary of Lutheran doctrine. This means the LCMS does not treat doctrine as flexible or secondary, but as something to be received from God’s Word, confessed clearly, and taught faithfully. For that reason, LCMS congregations place strong emphasis on sound preaching, faithful administration of the Sacraments, and careful teaching of the Christian faith for all ages.
Worship, Mission, and Mercy
The LCMS is not only confessional in doctrine, but also active in worship, mission, education, and works of mercy. The Synod’s stated mission is “to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.” Its ministries include national mission work, international mission efforts, worship resources, and one of the largest Protestant parochial school systems in the United States. This reflects a Lutheran understanding that the Church is called both to remain faithful in doctrine and to serve the neighbor in love.
Why This Matters for Mission of the Cross
Come and Join Us
If you would like to learn more about The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, its doctrine, mission, and ministries, we encourage you to visit lcms.org. There you can explore the Synod’s official beliefs, mission work, worship resources, educational ministries, and answers to frequently asked questions. As a congregation of the LCMS, Mission of the Cross gladly shares in that confession and invites you to learn more about the faith we believe, teach, and confess.