Chapter 16: every tradition · Christianity

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

A congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: confessional Lutherans who hold Scripture and the whole Book of Concord, and worship in the Divine Service of Lutheran Service Book with the organ and the chorales. The Lord's Supper, with wine only, is given every other week or every Sunday under close(d) communion, to members of the Synod and its sister churches; infants are baptized, and the young are confirmed after learning the Small Catechism. Its members renounce "unionism and syncretism", so it worships only with its own, though it serves alongside anyone. The voters' assembly calls the pastor, a man, from the district president's list, and new pastors come by the Council of Presidents' assignment on Call Day; the Synod is "but an advisory body" with "no equity in the property of the congregation". Many congregations run a Lutheran school.

All 80 traditions · its profile in Faiths and traditions, with how to play it; How people feel, what every factor is.

At a glance

Faith	Christianity
Its words	congregation, church, sanctuary; the pastor leads the Divine Service; the sermon; Sunday; the Bible
Worship	balanced focus, reserved, high formality (1.00 of 1); seated on pews
Music	organ expected; gospel organ discouraged; recorded discouraged
The room's sound	likes a ringing room (organ and choir)
Its year	western; full observance; fasts none
Leans	conservative on moral questions, conservative on economic ones
Polity	synodical; leaders come by call; property local
Leaders	one leader, full time, trained by seminary; marriage any
Belonging	moderate commitment, formal discipline, admitted by vote; exclusive
Giving	tithing taught; collected by plate, pledges, online; also rentals
Way of life	alcohol moderation, dress church clothes, sabbath relaxed

The week's services

Day	Time	Service	Led by	People look for it
Sunday	10:00 am	Divine Service (traditional)	the pastor	expected
Wednesday	7:00 pm	Divine Service	the pastor	seasonal

Leader: a pastor. With none (a vacancy, or no one hired), the services are still held, but each costs everyone at it 0.10; on sabbatical a supply pastor stands in ($800 a month) for a little less. A small congregation shares its pastor with another, who leads only its first service of the week; each later one costs 0.03.
Communion (26 times a year), served at a rail: it needs an altar, communion table, rail, or communion station with clear floor in front of it, or communion can't be given that week. People receive from age 13; anyone younger who comes forward is blessed instead.
Baptism: needs a font, a baptistry, or an immersion font, built and installed; until there is one, those wanting baptism wait.
Lay helpers at each service: Required: an acolyte, a lector, 2 communion assistants (at communion); Expected: a crucifer.

Rites

Confirmation (yearly, +0.025 to those there): After a season of classes, young people (and adults) are confirmed: they affirm the faith they were baptized into, and the bishop or pastor lays hands on them and prays for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Individual Confession and Absolution (on request, +0.015 to those there, asked for 0.05 times a year by a household, 20 minutes): A penitent confesses privately to the pastor, at the altar rail or in the pastor's study, and hears the absolution, as the order in Lutheran Service Book provides. Few seek it, by appointment, though the pastor offers it.
Lenten Soup Supper (yearly, +0.02 to those there): On the Wednesdays of Lent, from Ash Wednesday on, the congregation shares a simple soup supper before the midweek service.
Holy Matrimony (on request, +0.02 to those there): A couple marries before God and the congregation, exchanging vows before the pastor after a course of marriage preparation.

Baptism, confirmation, and joining

Baptized elsewhere: it recognizes any baptism in the name of the Trinity. Someone so baptized is received at a service after about 10 weeks (a week from another of its churches).
Not baptized (or baptized where it doesn't recognize it): a candidate who prepares for 3 months (only months its class can meet count), then is baptized and received at the same service.
Joining age: 16.
The church's children are baptized as babies, and are baptized members, without a vote until confirmed.
Confirmation: from about 12, a class of 24 months (in a classroom or an office, led by the pastor or a sunday school and bible class teacher) prepares them, and the rite makes them full members at 14 or so. It's held only when there are candidates.
Kinds of belonging: communicant members (votes, may hold office); baptized members; received by a vote of the members.
What it means: being baptized, confirmed, or received is worth +0.1 to the person, +0.05 to family there, and +0.03 to everyone else at the service. It roots them: a rooted household drifts away only 0.6 times as often, and if it does fall away, it has a 25% chance of coming home each Christmas Eve and Easter for ten years.

Giving, and what goes up

How its people give and what else comes in, as Money explains it for every faith.

How it's given: the offering, by a plate passed at each main service, pledges, and giving online. A visiting household puts $5 to $25 in the plate. Those who give online give whether or not they come (8% more a month).
Pledges: a pledge drive each November for the year to come: a household with a member pledges with a chance of 0.9 × its engagement (a household of regulars, 0.3), about three quarters of what it could give, paid monthly from January and falling behind as it grows unhappy.
Renting space: its congregations are known for it, so tenants pay 15% more.
Fundraisers: only the modest ones (below).
Owed above: District mission support, 6% of what it takes in, to the District (voluntary).

The pastor, the staff, and who decides

How the pastor comes: the Circuit nominates one, whom the congregation calls (or asks again).
Paid: full time; housed or given an allowance, as you set.
Candidates: three apply; trained at seminary; men; most married.
Tenure: settled for about 9 years, then may be called elsewhere; an interim serves through the search.
Staff it can hire or name (see Staff and volunteers):
- Bivocational pastor ($22,000–$38,000; cares for 75)
- Pastor ($55,000–$85,000 + $18,000 benefits, full time; cares for 150)
- Associate pastor ($42,000–$62,000 + $15,000 benefits, full time; cares for 100 more)
- Choir director / organist / pianist ($15,000–$35,000; leads the music (up to +0.06))
- Caretaker ($18,000–$30,000; slows the building's wear)
- Congregation secretary ($20,000–$35,000; runs the office (+50 to the leader's reach, once))
- Youth director ($20,000–$40,000; up to +0.08 for households with young people)
Its boards: the church council (deciding, over everything); the board of elders (deciding, over calls and the spiritual life); the board of trustees (deciding, over the building).
Renovations: The board of trustees votes.
New construction: The members vote.
Calling a leader: The members vote, consulting the Circuit.
Who votes: communicant members, 16 and over.

Life together

What its Community screen offers it, with the dilemmas only its own faith or family meets; see The congregation in its community.

Ministries of its own: Choir.
Ministries every tradition can run that it's offered: Blood drive, Day school, Food pantry, Health clinic, Preschool, Youth group.
Fundraisers of its own: Soup supper.
Shared fundraisers it may hold (only the modest ones): Bake sale, Car wash, Raffle, Rummage sale.
Tenants it can take: A scout troop, A twelve-step group, Another congregation, Dance classes, Parties and receptions, Wedding receptions.
Auxiliaries: Lutheran Women's Missionary League.
Outreach: invitation Sunday, planting a new congregation (Community → Evangelism).
Dilemmas of its own faith (besides those every congregation meets): A petition for cushions, The bells, again.
Dilemmas its code of life brings: A Masonic funeral, A matter of discipline, A raffle for the roof, A recruiter asks for the hall.

What the building needs

required AltarBelief in Christ's real presence in the Eucharist calls for an altar, the focal point of the sanctuary.
required Communion railCommunicants receive at a rail, kneeling or standing.
required Baptismal fontInfant baptism by pouring needs a baptismal font, traditionally near the entrance as a sign that baptism is entry into the church.
required PulpitWord and sacrament share the focus: a pulpit for preaching alongside the altar.
required sacristyVestments, sacred vessels, and paraments are kept and prepared in a sacristy.
expected LecternScripture readings are traditionally read from a lectern.
expected Pipe organThe congregation expects hymns led by an organ.
expected fellowship hallThe supper is served in the fellowship hall.
expected kitchenThe soup is made in the kitchen.
discouraged Flaming chaliceThe flaming chalice is another tradition's symbol.
discouraged Hammond organA gospel organ doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
discouraged IconIcons are not part of this tradition's worship.

What people here feel

Architectural style: Colonial brick -0.012; Modern synagogue +0.006; Gurdwara +0.012; Japanese temple +0.024; Islamic +0.03; Shinto shrine +0.03; Chinese temple +0.036; Dravidian temple +0.042; Nagara temple +0.042; Thai temple +0.042; Jain marble +0.048; Gothic +0.054.
Building fit: up to ±0.15 for everyone, the average fit of the characterful items in its worship rooms (the table below).
Acoustics: it wants a ringing room, about 2.8 seconds of reverberation: stone, plaster, a high ceiling. Up to ±0.05.
Seasonal decor: it keeps the church year: paraments and the season's decor are worth up to ±0.040.
The sermon lands by its topic and the tradition's leaning (below); the pastor's preaching adds or costs up to 0.08 more.
Communion: each communion service runs longer; a slow one costs 0.05 for every 10 minutes the service runs over (0.2 at most).

How each sermon lands

The topics its leader can choose from (some are only for one faith or family), and what each is worth.

Fire & Brimstone+0.08
Marriage as God Designed+0.06
Sanctity of Life+0.06
The Last Days+0.06
Faith & Family+0.04
Faith of Our Fathers+0.04
Obedience & Discipline+0.04
Personal Holiness+0.04
Resisting Temptation+0.04
Spiritual Warfare+0.04
The Authority of Scripture+0.04
The Great Commission+0.04
Biblical Stories+0.015
Blessed Are the Peacemakers+0.015
Called by Name+0.015
Doubt & Faith+0.015
Eternal Life & Resurrection+0.015
Grace & Forgiveness+0.015
Gratitude+0.015
Hope & Comfort+0.015
Joy in All Things+0.015
Love One Another+0.015
Sabbath Rest+0.015
Saints & Witnesses+0.015
Servant Leadership+0.015
Songs of the Psalms+0.015
Stewardship & Generosity+0.015
The Church Year+0.015
The Life of Prayer+0.015
The Parables of Jesus+0.015
Care for Creation-0.05
Healing for All-0.05
Interfaith Understanding-0.05
Reading Scripture in Context-0.05
Swords into Ploughshares-0.05
The Prophets' Call-0.05
Wealth & Poverty-0.05
Welcome the Stranger-0.05
Women Who Led-0.05
Racial Justice & Reconciliation-0.075
Radical Inclusion-0.075
Social Justice Call-0.075

Every item, for this tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); the building fit is the average over the characterful items in the worship rooms. An item with no character (a table, a toilet) has no fit. A rule applies wherever the item is.

Item	Fit	Rule
Seating
Box pew	+1
Choir stalls	+0.5
Meeting bench	no fit
Oak pew	no fit
Row of chairs	-1
Liturgical furniture
Altar	+1	required Belief in Christ's real presence in the Eucharist calls for an altar, the focal point of the sanctuary.
Baptismal font	+1	required Infant baptism by pouring needs a baptismal font, traditionally near the entrance as a sign that baptism is entry into the church.
Baptistry	no fit
Bishop's chair	+1
Brass eagle lectern	+1
Columbarium niches	+1
Communion rail	+1	required Communicants receive at a rail, kneeling or standing.
Communion station	no fit
Communion table	no fit
Communion trays	no fit
Confessional screen	no fit
Coptic cross	0
Epitaphios	-1
Flaming chalice	-1	discouraged The flaming chalice is another tradition's symbol.
Foot-washing basins	no fit
Haikal screen	-1
Iconostasis	-1
Immersion font	+1
Lectern	no fit	expected Scripture readings are traditionally read from a lectern.
Litany desk	+1
Mercy seat	no fit
Octagonal stone font	+1
Paraments	no fit
Pulpit	no fit	required Word and sacrament share the focus: a pulpit for preaching alongside the altar.
Readers' desks	no fit
Rood screen	+1
Sanctuary lamp	+1
Tabernacle	+1
Three-bar cross	0
Thurible and stand	no fit
Music
Brass band stands	0
Chanter's stand	+0.5
Drum kit	-0.5
Electronic organ	+1
Grand piano	0
Hammond organ	-1	discouraged A gospel organ doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
Handbell table	0
Pipe organ	+1	expected The congregation expects hymns led by an organ.
Sound system	-0.5
Upright piano	0
Decor
Advent wreath	no fit
Banner	0
Christmas Eve candles	no fit
Cross	0
Crucifix	0
Easter lilies	no fit
Eternal flame	no fit
Flag of the church	0
Great dome	+1
Icon	-1	discouraged Icons are not part of this tradition's worship.
Memorial plaque	no fit
National flag	0
Painting of Christ	0
Paschal candle	no fit
Plain spire	no fit
Small dome	no fit
Stained glass window	+1
Statue	0
Steeple and bells	+1
Votive candle stand	no fit
Furnishings
Alms box	no fit
Coffee pot	no fit
Commercial coffee pot	no fit
Computer	no fit
Crib	no fit
Desk	no fit
Desk chair	no fit
Folding table	no fit
Full-length mirror	no fit
Pillar	+1
Prie-dieu	+1
Projection screen	-1
Vestment cabinet	+1
Wooden table	no fit
Utility
A/V rack	no fit
Camera	no fit
Cast-iron boiler	no fit
Central air conditioner	no fit
Commercial HVAC plant	no fit
Commercial stove	no fit
Congregation van	no fit
Ductless heat pump	no fit
Electric wall heater	no fit
Gas furnace	no fit
Hearing loop	no fit
Lift	no fit
Packaged heat pump	no fit
Plumbing stack	no fit
Ramp	no fit
Shuttle bus	no fit
Sink	no fit
Solar panels	no fit
Stairs	no fit
Toilet	no fit
Used school bus	no fit
Wall camera	no fit
Window air conditioner	no fit
Grounds
Evergreen tree	no fit
Flower bed	no fit
Fountain	no fit
Garden bench	no fit
Hedge	no fit
Lychgate	+1
Playground	no fit
Shade tree	no fit
Standing cross	no fit

Sources

LCMS 2023 Handbook: Constitution, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation (link)
LCMS, Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws of Lutheran Congregations (2012) (link)
LCMS, FAQs: LCMS Views (link)
CTCR, Proper Administration of the Lord's Supper (2025) (link)
CTCR opinion on the service of women in congregational offices (2004) (link)
Reporter, 10 years of Lutheran Service Book (2016) (link)
LCMS Missouri District, The call process; Concordia Seminary, Call Day 2025 (link)
LCMS Missouri District, With our gifts (2020) (link)
LCMS School Ministry (link)
Reporter, Convention affirms closed Communion, biblical sexuality (2023) (link)