Church of the Lutheran Brethren

Church of the Lutheran Brethren

PO Box 655
Fergus Falls,, MN 56538
United States

Attesting Officer
Matthew Rogness
Vice-President/Director of Operations


46.28, -96.08


The Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America was organized in December 1900. Five independent Lutheran congregations met together in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and adopted a constitution patterned very closely to that of the Lutheran Free Church of Norway.

The spiritual awakening in the Midwest during the 1890s crystallized into convictions that led to the formation of a new church body. Chief among the concerns were church membership practices, observance of Holy Communion, confirmation practices and local church government.

The Church of the Lutheran Brethren practices a simple order of worship with the sermon as the primary part of the worship service. It believes that personal profession of faith is the primary criterion for membership in the congregation. The Communion service is reserved for those who profess faith in Christ as savior. Each congregation is autonomous and the synod serves the congregations in advisory and cooperative capacities.

The synod supports a world mission program in Cameroon, Chad, Japan and Taiwan. Approximately 40 percent of the synodical budget is earmarked for world missions. A growing home mission ministry is planting new congregations in the United States and Canada. Affiliate organizations operate several retirement-nursing homes, conference and retreat centers.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
8,362
11,865
4,737
13,099
105
2009
8,521
11,785
4,912
13,433
106
2008
9,070
13,034
5,682
14,752
116
2006
8,907
13,375
5,520
14,427
110
2004
8,435
13,662
5,328
13,763
108
2002
8,194
13,097
5,508
13,702
108
2001
8,194
0
13,702
108
1999
8,229
13,207
5,691
13,920
115
1998
8,234
0
5,448
13,682
115
1997
8,232
0
13,530
117
1996
8,181
0
13,442
117
1995
8,114
0
24,906
118
1994
8,331
0
25,548
119
1993
7,824
0
12,527
120
1992
7,684
0
12,182
110
1990
7,715
0
12,220
111
1989
7,540
0
12,625
114
1988
7,827
0
13,695
128
1987
6,530
0
11,360
104
1986
11,778
0
0
11,778
118
1985
6,977
0
11,374
108
1984
6,808
0
11,006
110
1983
6,789
0
10,997
109
1982
6,598
0
10,580
106
1981
6,206
0
10,153
106
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2009
128
45
50
223
2008
135
48
36
219
2006
140
46
36
222
2004
124
45
47
216
2002
145
37
47
229
2001
145
0
0
229
1999
136
39
55
230
1998
139
38
61
238
1997
136
0
0
233
1996
122
0
0
225
1995
114
0
0
209
1994
135
0
0
233
1993
135
0
0
234
1992
113
0
0
207
1990
115
0
0
207
1989
110
0
0
195
1988
115
0
0
202
1987
126
0
0
173
1986
113
0
0
184
1985
99
0
0
148
1984
97
0
0
137
1983
93
0
0
135
1982
89
0
0
136
1981
59
0
0
116
1980
73
0
0
134
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
105
1,022
5,333
6,355
2009
106
1,046
5,657
6,703
2008
113
1,130
6,826
7,956
2006
108
1,117
9,491
10,608
2004
105
1,122
7,718
8,840
2002
101
1,238
7,605
8,843
2001
101
0
0
8,843
1999
105
1,231
7,951
9,182
1998
110
1,240
7,873
9,113
1997
105
0
0
9,674
1996
106
0
0
10,146
1995
110
0
0
10,652
1994
114
0
0
11,061
1993
118
0
0
11,496
1992
108
0
0
11,161
1990
111
0
0
10,979
1989
114
0
0
10,464
1988
124
0
0
10,884
1987
104
0
0
9,837
1986
107
0
0
10,035
1985
102
0
0
9,748
1984
103
0
0
9,932
1983
102
0
0
9,370
1982
101
0
0
9,183
1981
100
0
0
8,961
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$0
$20,493,564
$20,493,564
$20,493,564
2009
$0
$20,003,105
$20,003,105
$20,003,105
2008
$2,160,264
$23,828,096
$21,667,832
2006
$1,989,752
$20,565,904
$18,576,152
2004
$2,078,490
$17,075,504
$14,997,014
2002
$2,198,658
$14,103,909
$11,905,251
2001
$2,198,658
$14,103,909
$11,905,251
1999
$1,921,186
$12,284,566
$10,363,380
1998
$1,891,507
$11,579,314
$9,687,807
1997
$1,841,030
$11,300,212
$9,459,182
1996
$1,812,818
$10,419,250
$8,606,432
1995
$2,459,460
$9,157,364
$6,697,904
1994
$1,890,818
$9,166,074
$7,275,256
1967
$166,535
$1,920,601
$1,754,066
1966
$7,213
1923
$0
$92,000
$0
1921
$0
$265,000
$0
1917
$0
$14,837
$0