Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Encyclopedia
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) is organized into 35 districts, 33 of which are defined along geographic lines. Each district has a president
who oversees the congregations in his district, which are further subdivided into local circuits
. The position of president is roughly analogous to the role of bishop
in many church bodies, but LCMS doctrine firmly supports congregationalist polity
as opposed to hierarchical governance
.
Districts choose their own district presidents at their triennial conventions from among the pastor
s in the district. In some districts the district president occupies a full-time position, while in others he continues to serve as pastor in a congregation.
The 35 district presidents plus the synod president form the Council of Presidents (COP), which places graduates from the two LCMS seminaries
as pastors in congregations which have requested such a candidate. If a congregation desires an experienced pastor to fill a vacancy, the district president may suggest a list of possible candidates (gleaned from interactions with the COP as well as other sources), but the district president does not assign pastors in this case; the congregation extends a "call" directly to the pastor.
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
who oversees the congregations in his district, which are further subdivided into local circuits
Circuit (LCMS)
A circuit, in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , is a local grouping of congregations within one of the Synod's 35 districts. Circuits typically include 8 to 12 congregations...
. The position of president is roughly analogous to the role of bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in many church bodies, but LCMS doctrine firmly supports congregationalist polity
Congregationalist polity
Congregationalist polity, often known as congregationalism, is a system of church governance in which every local church congregation is independent, ecclesiastically sovereign, or "autonomous"...
as opposed to hierarchical governance
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
.
Districts choose their own district presidents at their triennial conventions from among the pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
s in the district. In some districts the district president occupies a full-time position, while in others he continues to serve as pastor in a congregation.
The 35 district presidents plus the synod president form the Council of Presidents (COP), which places graduates from the two LCMS seminaries
Seminaries of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod operates two seminaries for the formation of its pastors: Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
as pastors in congregations which have requested such a candidate. If a congregation desires an experienced pastor to fill a vacancy, the district president may suggest a list of possible candidates (gleaned from interactions with the COP as well as other sources), but the district president does not assign pastors in this case; the congregation extends a "call" directly to the pastor.
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod districts
- AtlanticAtlantic District (LCMS)The Atlantic District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers eastern New York state: New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and the Capital District...
— covers the eastern half of New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state, i.e., New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Long IslandLong IslandLong Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, the Hudson ValleyHudson ValleyThe Hudson Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, United States, from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy.-History:...
, and the Capital DistrictCapital DistrictNew York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
. - California-Nevada-HawaiiCalifornia-Nevada-Hawaii District (LCMS)The California-Nevada-Hawaii District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the state of Hawaii, California with the exception of its eight southernmost counties, and Nevada with the exception of the Las Vegas metropolitan area at its southern end...
- Central (no longer exists) - One of the original districts, it was divided into the Indiana District and the Ohio District
- Central IllinoisCentral Illinois District (LCMS)The Central Illinois District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the middle third of the state of Illinois; the rest of the state is divided between the Northern Illinois District and the Southern Illinois District...
- EasternEastern District (LCMS)The Eastern District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers: most of upstate New York; Pennsylvania, with the exception of York and Lancaster Counties; and Garrett County at the western corner of the Maryland panhandle...
— one of the original four districts of the LCMS, through the process of division now covers only western New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state and most of PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... - EnglishEnglish District (LCMS)The English District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It is one of the Synod's two non-geographical districts, along with the SELC District, and has its origins in the congregations of the former English Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which merged with the LCMS in...
— a non-geographical district comprising the congregations of the former English Synod - Florida-GeorgiaFlorida-Georgia District (LCMS)The Florida-Georgia District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the states of Georgia and Florida, with the exception of the Florida Panhandle which is part of the Southern District; in addition, four Florida congregations and three Georgia...
- IndianaIndiana District (LCMS)The Indiana District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the state of Indiana as well as most of western Kentucky; the remainder of Kentucky is divided between the Mid-South District and the Ohio District...
— the state of IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
plus a portion of KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. - Iowa EastIowa District East (LCMS)The Iowa District East is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the eastern half of the state of Iowa; the rest of the state forms the Iowa District West. The Iowa District East includes approximately 119 congregations and missions, subdivided into 12...
- Iowa WestIowa District West (LCMS)The Iowa District West is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the western half of the state of Iowa including the state capital, Des Moines; the rest of the state forms the Iowa District East...
- KansasKansas District (LCMS)The Kansas District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Kansas; one congregation near the state's northern border is in the Nebraska District. The Kansas District includes approximately 166 congregations and missions, subdivided into 16...
- MichiganMichigan District (LCMS)The Michigan District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the U.S. state of Michigan with the exception of the western half of the Upper Peninsula, which is in the North Wisconsin District. In addition, eighteen Michigan congregations are in the...
- Mid-SouthMid-South District (LCMS)The Mid-South District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the states of Arkansas and Tennessee, as well as the southwestern edge of Kentucky; the rest of Kentucky is divided between the Indiana District and the Ohio District...
— ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, and southern KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth... - Minnesota NorthMinnesota North District (LCMS)The Minnesota North District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the northern two-thirds of the state of Minnesota; it also includes two congregations in Wisconsin. The southern third of Minnesota constitutes the Minnesota South District, and the rest of...
- Minnesota SouthMinnesota South District (LCMS)The Minnesota South District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the southern third of the state of Minnesota including the Twin Cities area; it also includes two congregations in Wisconsin...
- MissouriMissouri District (LCMS)The Missouri District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Missouri. Six Missouri congregations are in the non-geographic English District, and one congregation in St. Louis is in the SELC District...
- MontanaMontana District (LCMS)The Montana District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Montana, also including one congregation in Idaho; the rest of Idaho is included in the Northwest District. The Montana District includes approximately 67 congregations and missions,...
- NebraskaNebraska District (LCMS)The Nebraska District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Nebraska with the exception of its Panhandle, which is in the Wyoming District; the district also includes one congregation in Kansas...
- New EnglandNew England District (LCMS)The New England District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses all six New England states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. In addition, three congregations in southwest Connecticut are in the non-geographic...
- New JerseyNew Jersey District (LCMS)The New Jersey District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of New Jersey; five of the state's congregations are in the non-geographic English District, and five more are in the SELC District...
- North DakotaNorth Dakota District (LCMS)The North Dakota District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of North Dakota as well as including one congregation in South Dakota; the rest of South Dakota constitutes the South Dakota District...
- North WisconsinNorth Wisconsin District (LCMS)The North Wisconsin District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the northern two-thirds of Wisconsin as well as the western half of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In addition, one congregation in the district's area is in the non-geographic SELC District...
- Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois District (LCMS)The Northern Illinois District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the northern third of the state of Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area; the rest of the state is divided between the Central Illinois District and the Southern Illinois...
- NorthwestNorthwest District (LCMS)The Northwest District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington; one Idaho congregation is in the Montana District...
— Washington state, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, and IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state.... - OhioOhio District (LCMS)The Ohio District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the states of Ohio and West Virginia, as well as eastern Kentucky . In addition, fifteen Ohio congregations are in the non-geographic English District, and eleven are in the SELC District...
— OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, West VirginiaWest VirginiaWest Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, and eastern KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth... - OklahomaOklahoma District (LCMS)The Oklahoma District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Oklahoma. It includes approximately 80 congregations and missions, subdivided into 9 circuits, as well as 18 preschools, 9 elementary schools and 1 high school...
- Pacific SouthwestPacific Southwest District (LCMS)The Pacific Southwest District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It covers Southern California , Arizona and the southern tip of Nevada, and includes nearly 300 congregations subdivided into 32 circuits, as well as 120 preschools, 76 elementary schools and 9...
— southern CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and southern NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its... - Rocky MountainRocky Mountain District (LCMS)The Rocky Mountain District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It encompasses the states of Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, as well as El Paso County, Texas; the rest of Texas constitutes the Texas District, and one Colorado congregation is in the Wyoming District...
— UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and El Paso County, Texas - SELCSELC District (LCMS)The SELC District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It is one of the Synod's two non-geographical districts, along with the English District, and has its origins in the congregations of the former Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church, which merged with the LCMS in...
— non-geographical district comprising the congregations of the former Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church - South DakotaSouth Dakota District (LCMS)The South Dakota District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of South Dakota; one congregation in the state is in the North Dakota District. The South Dakota District includes approximately 114 congregations and missions, subdivided into 11...
- South WisconsinSouth Wisconsin District (LCMS)The South Wisconsin District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the southern third of the state of Wisconsin. The northern two-thirds are in the North Wisconsin District; there are also two Wisconsin congregations in the Minnesota North District...
- SoutheasternSoutheastern District (LCMS)The Southeastern District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It encompasses Washington, D.C. and the states of Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania, and Maryland with the exception of Garrett...
— covers South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, the District of Columbia, and York and Adams Counties in PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. - SouthernSouthern District (LCMS)The Southern District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, as well as the Florida Panhandle; the Florida peninsula is part of the Florida-Georgia District...
— LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, and the Florida PanhandleFlorida PanhandleThe Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is... - Southern IllinoisSouthern Illinois District (LCMS)The Southern Illinois District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the southern third of the state of Illinois; the rest of the state is divided between the Northern Illinois District and the Central Illinois District. In addition, one congregation in...
- TexasTexas District (LCMS)The Texas District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Texas with the exception of El Paso County, which is in the Rocky Mountain District...
— the state of TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
except for El Paso County - WyomingWyoming District (LCMS)The Wyoming District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the state of Wyoming as well as the Nebraska Panhandle and one congregation in Colorado; the rest of Nebraska constitutes the Nebraska District except for one congregation in the Rocky Mountain...