Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church Statement of Belief

 

Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church and School is member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS or Synod). The LCMS is a mission-oriented and Bible-based denomination that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a faith built on “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God, who created all that exists; became man to suffer, die, and rise again for the world’s redemption; and brings people to faith and new life through His Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are coequal and coeternal (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Matt. 3:16-17), one God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4).

 

LCMS congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the Synod, and, although diverse in many ways, all hold to a shared confession of Jesus Christ as taught in Holy Scripture. We believe without reservation that the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice (John 10:35, 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:10-12). In addition, the Synod accepts without reservation the writings contained in the Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

 

Believing in the authority of Holy Scripture and that the Lutheran Confessions are a correct

interpretation and presentation of biblical doctrine, our congregations agree to conform all their

teaching and practice to the Scriptures and the Confessions.

 

The Synod “is not an ecclesiastical government, exercising legislative or coercive powers” (LCMS

Constitution, Article VII) concerning its member congregations and ministers.  However, the

voluntary association of member congregations and ministers includes their agreement to respect

and honor and uphold (Bylaw 1.7.2, 1.8.1) decisions (resolutions) made by the Synod in its

national conventions regarding the understanding of the teachings of Scripture and the Lutheran

Confessions and practices that are consistent with such teaching. The Synod in convention is

the “principle legislative assembly” of the LCMS (Bylaw 3.1.1) and its resolutions and statements

are the position of the Synod in matters of doctrine and life. The Constitution and Bylaws of the

LCMS provide specific guidance for the implementation and supervision of the teaching and

practice of its members (congregations and rostered church workers).

 

Congregations of the LCMS, while upholding teachings and practices that are consistent with

Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions and while honoring Synod convention resolutions, are self-governed and establish policies based on local circumstance and expediency. An LCMS congregation

or ministry operates according to its own constitution and bylaws – which are required by the

Synod Bylaws to be reviewed by the District through which the congregation holds membership

in the Synod – and therein establishes an orderly way of making decisions and determines which

individuals or entities in the congregation (e.g., the pastor, church council, board of elders) will have

authority to act on behalf of the congregation in specific circumstances. The Constitution and bylaws

of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church and School govern our decision-making and policies. A copy is available upon request.

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