Listed below are some of the more frequently asked questions about the Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession. If you have specific questions not included here or would like an individual response, please email us at LC3@lutherancore.org.
In order to become a part of the Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession, a congregation needs to adopt the “Common Confession” at a duly authorized meeting. An intention to participate in the Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession can be included in the same statement. A copy of the congregational action, signed by the church president on church letterhead, should be sent to the LC3 Secretary at: 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite #220, New Brighton, MN 55112. A congregation will not be listed as a member of LC3, unless official notification is received from the church. Refer to Joining LC3 for more information.
At the initial meeting in Brooklyn Park in November 2005, representatives chose the name “Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession” as the title for the association. Instead of a list of descriptive adjectives (“evangelical,” “confessional,” etc.), it was meant to be a simple declaration what unites the congregations – our common statement of faith. Subsequently, the abbreviations LCCC and LC3 have both been used in print. In conversation, it has continued to be referred to as “the association” or by the short-hand phrase “L-C-3” (unfortunately, “L-C-C-C” is difficult to pronounce).
The Common Confession is not intended to be a new confession of faith nor a comprehensive statement of faith, it is intended only to highlight the main areas where traditional Lutheran teachings have been called into question in our own day. The Common Confession introduces no "new" doctrine that is in conflict with prior confessions, but allows a congregation to state in a brief form its basic convictions.
Lutheran CORE is a broad-based organization of individuals and reform groups, committed to the reform of the ELCA. Their goal is to work within the political and representational channels of the ELCA, to provide a traditional, biblical, and confessional voice. Sharing the same Common Confession, Lutheran CORE is in direct partnership with LC3. Though each group has their own Steering Committee, they communicate and share resources between them.
The WordAlone Network, a national organization working for reform, renewal, and reflection within the Lutheran Church, is fully supportive of LC3 and is working in cooperation with the association’s mission and ministry efforts. However, the WordAlone Network remains a separate organization. A congregation does not have to be a member of WordAlone to be a part of LC3, nor is it assumed that members LC3 are in agreement with WordAlone's stance on all issues.
The “Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ” (LCMC) is a group that grew out of the WordAlone Network in the early years of the movement as an association of churches freely gathered together with one another in a common mission. The LCMC also served as a denominational entity. a recognized “Lutheran body” to which congregations could go if they chose to leave the ELCA. LC3 is different from this in that it is not a denominational body, but is an association working within and alongside denominations for renewal in mission and ministry.
No. LC3 is not itself a new denomination, nor does participation and membership in LC3 require a congregation to leave or join a particular denominational body. LC3 is not a ‘break-away’ organization, but an attempt to mobilize congregations in mutual mission and ministry. While LC3 is primarily aimed at ELCA congregations, we are interested in working cooperatively with churches of other Lutheran denominations as well. Some churches in the LCMC and ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) have already adopted the “Common Confession” as a statement of faith.
A ten-member Steering Committee, representing various regions from across the country, was elected at the first meeting of LC3 in November of 2005. These members have been serving the administration of the association, with two-year terms. Each congregation of LC3 has equal voice and vote in semi-annual assembly.
Although the primary purpose of the association is to help churches covenant with each other, LC3 is maintaining a list of pastors and lay leaders who subscribe to the Common Confession and express their desire to identify with the association, whether or not their churches may choose to do so. Please refer to the Supporters page on our website for more information.
There are no required dues for membership in LC3. However, the congregations of the association are encouraged to make the work of LC3 a part of their annual benevolence budget. The primary need at this point is in the area of administration (mailings, internet, postage, etc.), but as the association grows, specific mission and ministry projects will be promoted.
Since LC3 is not formally incorporated at this point, for the time being our friends at the WordAlone Network are overseeing financial contributions on our behalf. Donations can be sent to the WordAlone Network office at: 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. Please designate “for LC3” in the notes of the check..