Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/lutheran-church-missouri-synod

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod?Second-largest Lutheran body in the United States
2. What is the current membership (2023)?Approximately 1.7 million
3. What is the founding year and location?1847 in Chicago
4. Why did the LCMS start in 1847 in Chicago?German immigrants who wanted to keep their Lutheran faith together started it. They felt other churches were changing too much, so they formed a new group that kept the old teachings.
5. How many districts does the LCMS have and what are they?The LCMS is divided into 35 districts. Most are based on geography, and two special districts serve English‑speaking and SELC members.

Orthodox Lutheranism: A branch of Lutheranism that strictly adheres to historical confessions and traditional interpretations of scripture.
Confessional Identity: A strong emphasis on adhering to specific theological statements and creeds, particularly the Book of Concord.
Synodical Structure: A system of governance where autonomous congregations are organized into a larger, representative body.
Altar and Pulpit Fellowship: A formal relationship of theological unity and shared ministry between different church bodies.