"One Mission, One Message, and One People"

Lutherans in the United States number approximately 10 million. About one-third of those are members of the Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod, our parent body founded in the 19th century in Missouri.

Lutheran Church Organizations

• Project Wittenberg is home to works by and about Martin Luther and other Lutherans.

• Concordia Historical Institute serves as the Department of Archives and History of the LCMS.

• The 6,150 congregations of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod are the "front line" of mission and ministry. On average, 3.7 cents from offering plate dollars are directed to the national synod budget.  Direct gifts support a majority of the work in mission, world relief, and higher education.

• Good Shepherd is part of the Southeastern District of the LCMS.  Thirty-five districts support the work of congregations to meet today's challenges.

• Concordia Publishing House has produced materials faithful to scripture and the Lutheran confessions for 133 years.

• Ten colleges and two seminaries of the Concordia University System strive to prepare church workers and to educate lay leaders for Christian service in church and society.

• The LCMS Foundation connects donors with ministries.

• The Lutheran Church Extension Fund is a unique ministry-through-investment organization that offers LCMS members the opportunity to invest their money, earn interest, and help build churches and schools at the same time.

• Lutheran Hour Ministries Online is a service of the International Lutheran Laymen's League (Int'l LLL), a volunteer organization of 150,000 members.  The Int'l LLL is an auxiliary of LCMS and Lutheran Church-Canada.

• Lutheran World Relief/Human Care touched 5.8 million people last year through supported agencies.

• Lutheran World Mission spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an effort to reach 100 million people by 2017.

• Worker Benefit Plans provide health, disability, and retirement coverage for 31,000 church workers and their families.

Source: The Lutheran Witness 122, no. 2 (February 2003). Published by Concordia Publishing House.