LCMC History

LCMC History

Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ adopted its constitution in March of 2001 and grew from 25 congregations to 46 congregations by the time the association held its first national convention in October of the same year.  Today LCMC consists of over 900 congregations in countries across the globe and has a full time staff of six people.  Each day, we work to strengthen the churches that we have, and to plant the ones we don't. 

Our History

  • Oct 5 2020

    Arden Hills, MN: LCMC 3.0 – After several years of tempered growth and well-attended gatherings, 2020 proved to be a year of challenge and transition. Due to a global pandemic, LCMC had to rethink how it met as an association. They gathered in combination of in-person and virtually for the first time. LCMC membership includes over 770 U.S. congregations and over 200 international congregations and partnerships. Over 140 people met on-site while hundreds of others streamed the proceedings live. There were 105 voting delegates among the on-site attendees.

    Late in 2019, the trustees and 40 leaders, throughout the association, spent time with a consultant to help direct the search for the new service coordinator and help shape the direction of the association moving forward. Over several months in early 2020, the trustees reviewed qualifications and met virtually with several candidates for the position. LCMC installed its third service coordinator, Mike Bradley, who joined the staff in August.

  • Sep 29 2019

    Omaha, NE: Listen Up – LCMC gathers explore how we can listen to the Word and respond to the issues facing the association.  Rachel Scott has written a song/hymn as a commissioned special music for the gathering.  The association has 760 US congregations and over 200 international congregations and partnerships.  Gathering together are 750 people with 435 voting delegates.  During the assembly, two new international partners were introduced.  LCMC enters into a working relationship with Evangelical Free Church in Norway and Movimento Encontrao in Brazil.  Mark Vander Tuig announces his retirement at the end of August 2020.

  • Oct 7 2018

    Des Moines, IA: Growing Up – LCMC meets to look at how 18 years has changed the association.  They explored the DNA of the association and how our founding principles continue to shape the association.  LCMC has over 750 US congregations and over 200 international congregations and partnerships.  This gathering attendance included just under 800 people including 474 voting delegates.  Perry Fruhling has joined the staff as the new coordinator for pastoral ministry.

  • Oct 8 2017

    Minneapolis, MN: We Confess Our Faith – LCMC celebrates the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the 95 theses to the church door in Wittenburg, while also celebrating the unique place the confession of our faith has in the current cultural landscape.  Membership in LCMC has grown to over 745 US congregations and 185 ministries in 15 countries.   The gathering hosted over 900 people, including 487 voting delegates.  Attendees engaged in a service project where they were introduced to Days for Girls and helped assemble hygiene kits.

  • Oct 2 2016

    Denver, CO: Back to the Future – LCMC looks forward to the future by exploring American culture for the church and how it might relate to our association.  LCMC also introduces a new logo, a refreshed website, and mobile app.  LCMC now has a membership that includes over 740 US congregations and hundreds of ministries in 16 countries.  Over 800 people gathered which included 462 voting delegates.  Tuesday evening, the assembly joins together in a service project assembling personal care kits for distribution by Lutheran World Relief. 

  • Oct 4 2015

    Frisco, Texas: Our DNA – LCMC celebrates 15 years by exploring the DNA of the association.  LCMC membership now includes over 730 US congregations and almost 120 ministries in 16 countries.  The assembly includes 744 people, with 364 delegates and 7 visitors.  Member congregations submitted proposals for the Reformation Anniversary Grant Program.   The association presents 15 grants of $5,000 each to congregations using funds from the Thrivent Financial Foundation.  Projects using these grants are to benefit the local community and shall be future looking, outward facing, member engaging, and collaborative. 


  • Oct 5 2014

    Des Moines, Iowa: Reason for Hope – LCMC continues to expand and has grown to over 710 US congregations and 12 countries which boast over 115 ministries.  Just over 1025 people join together to explore our Reason for Hope.  481 delegates and just under 100 visitors are among those present.  Tuesday evening, the assembly joins together in service raising over $95,000 and packaging over 290,000 meals for Meals from the Heartland.  The association also welcomes its sixth full time employee, Steve Lien, Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry. 


  • Oct 6 2013

    Dearborn, Michigan: The Grace of Giving  - LCMC membership has grown to over 700 US congregations and 12 countries in partnership.  Over 850 people joined together this year and were represented by over 440 delegates and 125 visitors.  As the association looks forward to focusing on new ministry starts, Dan Clites joins the staff as the Coordinator for Church Planting Development.

  • Oct 7 2012

    Denver, Colorado: Ambassadors for Christ - LCMC sees continued growth with over 690 US congregations and relationships in 10 countries.  The gathering united 978 people including 484 delegates and 184 visitors.  A committee that had reviewed the association By-Laws presented their recommendations and the assembly approves these changes with some minor modifications. 

  • Oct 2 2011

    Des Moines, Iowa:  Growing in Christ - LCMC continued to see steady growth through 2011 and now had over 650 US congregations.  Over 1,100 people joined together in Des Moines with over 600 delegates and 145 visitors.  During this gathering, an ecumenical agreement was approved to move forward with Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY).  The association also welcomes Kristy Thomas as our Communications and Public Relations Specialist.

  • Oct 3 2010

    Golden Valley, Minnesota: Celebrate! - LCMC celebrates its first decade during the 10th Annual Gathering hosted by Calvary Lutheran Church, Golden Valley, Minnesota. LCMC has seen exponential growth and is now over 550 congregations with 500 US congregations. Just under 1,100 people come together in celebration with 500 delegates and well over 200 visitors.  LCMC also welcomes its second Service Coordinator, Mark Vander Tuig, who joined the staff in September.

  • Oct 1 2009

    Fargo, North Dakota: LCMC returns to Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota, for its 9th Annual Gathering entitled "The Invitation". LCMC has begun to see increased interest and has grown to 238 congregations. Over 700 people are in attendance including 275 visitors seeking to learn and understand more about LCMC. The convention passes a resolution that better defines the roll of districts within the association.

  • Sep 28 2008

    Albuquerque, New Mexico: Gathering in The Land of Enchantment, the association holds its 8th Annual Gathering at Faith Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. LCMC has grown to 217 member congregations. Several Canadian congregations join LCMC and discussions begin about how to facilitate greater cooperation with our neighbors to the north. A strong North American base with solid ties to partners on other continents is the vision for LCMC as it moves toward the celebration of its first decade as an association.

  • Oct 7 2007

    Arden Hills, Minnesota: Celebrating another milestone in its growth, the association passes the 200 mark in member congregations, as 350 delegates and visitors from our 210 congregations gather under the banner of "Teach Us to Pray" at North Heights Lutheran Church. The Thrivent Foundations adds LCMC to the list of church bodies it supports by giving a grant of $25,000 to LCMC to help support our growing ministry.

  • Oct 1 2006

    Albuquerque, New Mexico: The association celebrates its first five years at its 6th Annual Gathering. Nearly 300 delegates and visitors enjoy the southwest hospitality of our host congregation. The 183 member congregations of the association represent 32 states in the USA and 6 other countries around the world.

  • Oct 2 2005

    Altoona, Iowa: LCMC holds its 5th Annual Gathering at Lutheran Church of the Cross. 315 Delegates, Members and Visitors gather in Altoona, Iowa. The association has expanded to include 119 congregations in 26 states and 42 international congregations -- three in Mexico, 14 in Vietnam and 25 in India-- for a total of 161 member congregations.

  • Oct 3 2004

    Fargo, North Dakota: LCMC holds its 4th Annual Gathering at Atonement Lutheran Church. 260 Delegates, Members and Visitors gather in Fargo, North Dakota. The association has expanded to include 105 congregations in 26 states and 17 international congregations -- three in Mexico and 14 in Vietnam -- for a total of 122 member congregations. Both staff persons in our national office in Canton, Michigan, are now full time as inquiries about LCMC continue to expand.

  • Oct 5 2003

    Canton, Michigan: LCMC holds its 3rd National Convention at St Michael Lutheran Church. LCMC is now separate from WA and the convention is held at the host congregation for LCMC's National Office. The association has a full-time National Service Coordinator and a part-time Director of Operations/Financial Secretary and has grown to 81 congregations. The delegates to the convention vote to expand the association by voting to accept international congregations.

  • Apr 28 2002

    Arden Hills, Minnesota: LCMC holds its 2nd National Convention in conjunction with the WA convention at North Heights Lutheran Church. The association has grown to 62 congregations. A commitment is made to have the association become entirely autonomous from WA and to establish its own office.

  • Oct 26 2001

    St Louis Park, Minnesota: LCMC holds its 1st National Convention and elects its first permanent board. 46 congregations were part of the association by the time the convention began at Westwood Lutheran Church.

  • Mar 25 2001

    Phoenix, Arizona: The constitution of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) is adopted on Tuesday, March 27, during the 2nd Annual Convention of WA at Valley Cathedral in Phoenix. 25 congregations are received as charter members of the association. Three interim board members are chosen to work with the WA board to plan the first convention for the association.

  • Mar 26 2000

    Mahtomedi, Minnesota: The WordAlone Network (WA) is born at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church. The first board is commissioned to craft an association for congregations who feel they cannot stay in the ELCA.

  • Nov 15 1999

    Roseville, Minnesota: The first gathering of those who are committed to resisting the requirements of CCM and the direction of the ELCA is held at Roseville Lutheran Church.

  • Aug 19 1999

    Denver, Colorado: The Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA adopts Called to Common Mission (CCM) in violation of our Lutheran Confessions.