ComparisonELCALCMCCall ProcessOnly those candidates approved bythe ELCA, and nominated by your bishop can serve as your pastor.Background checks by Synod office.A congregation has the freedom tocall whomever it chooses to serve astheir pastor. Websites and a network of contacts help providecongregations with names of pastorsto consider. Background checks bycongregation.Women pastors?ELCA and LCMC are the only large Lutheran denominations that do affirmthe call of women into called ministry. Non–celibate Gay pastors?YesNo. A congregation which called a pastor in violation of the MinistryStandards would be removed fromthe association.Statement of FaithELCA & LCMC have nearly identical statements of faith. Both claim theBible as the sole source and norm for faith and life. Many believe that theELCA’s recent actions are counter to that claim.How are church widedecisions made?Constitution and Ministry Standardsdecisions are made at the ChurchWide Assembly. Voting members of the church wide assembly areelected by synods, and each synod isallocated one voting member for every 5800 members. Most changesare proposed by the 36 member church council and voted on by thechurch wide assembly. Votingmembers are instructed that they arenot accountable to anyone.Each congregation is entitled to sendat least two delegates to the nationalgathering. Once a change is made bythe national gathering, it must beratified by 2/3rds of thecongregations, so every congregationgets a say in major decisions of theassociation.How are benevolencedollars handled?Benevolence dollars are sent to theSynod. Synods use about half of themoney for their administration andlocal missions; the other half is sentto the churchwide office. Thatmoney is used for their administration expenses and other ministries..Congregations are encouraged to givesome money to the administration of LCMC. All other benevolence moneyis distributed by local congregationsto the ministries-local, regional or international-of their choice.

Structure?So-called “threefold expression ” of congregation, Synod & churchwideAn Association of Congregationswith a very flat organizationalstructureProperty ownership?Congregation owns the property,with some restrictions.Congregation owns the property.If we choose to leave?Two votes, passing with a 2/3rdssuper-majority at least 90 days apart,with “consultation” by the Bishop in between, and in some cases, Synodapproval.One vote, simple majority.YouthNational church schedules nationaland regional conventions.Local congregations takeresponsibility for organizing nationaland regional gatherings and inviteother members of the Association.Women’sorganizationWELCA, a national organization isfunded by mission dollars andoperated out of the nationalheadquarters.Women of the Word (WOW) is asmall but growing, grassrootsorganization.Worship & liturgyCongregations are given“guidelines” and publishedresources which tend toward political correctness, gender-neutrallanguage & ecumenical theology.Congregations are free to choose andstructure of their worship services for their local setting. A variety of resources are available, includingReclaim Lutheran WorshipResources.Educational materialAugsburg Fortress is the official publisher for the church.Free to choose from a variety of resources, including A-F, Concordia,CSS, Group, Logos, Sola Publishing,etc.CampingMost synods own and operatechurch camps.Free to support any Bible camp program that the congregation deemsfaithful. Some camping programs areoperated by LC MC churches.Seminary and layEducationEight seminaries and some synodsoperate a Lay School of TheologyCurrently working with 11seminaries; some students in trainingat ELCA seminaries; Institute of Lutheran Theology & Beyond theRiver Academy provide additionaleducational opportunities for all.