WELS / LCMS doctrinal differences?

[Wgw]

In my chuldhood I attended an LCMS school and have fond memories of it. I have a high regard for both LCMS and WELS. I am curious however if there are any actual doctrinal disagreements between them?

 

[Sword of the Lord]

The only difference I ever think of is that WELS don't even so much as allow prayer with Christians that aren't WELS.

 

[MNKeith]

A C and P from lcms.org
Q: What are the main differences between the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)?

A: From the LCMS perspective, the three main theological differences between the LCMS and the WELS are the following:

1. The biblical understanding of fellowship.
   The WELS holds to what is called the "unit concept" of fellowship, which places virtually all joint expressions of the Christian faith on the same level. In an official statement made in 1960 the WELS states, "Church fellowship should therefore be treated as a unit concept, covering every joint expression, manifestation, and demonstration of a common faith" (Doctrinal Statements of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, 1970, pp. 51-52). The LCMS, however, has historically not understood or practiced church fellowship in this way. Our Synod, for example, has made a distinction between altar and pulpit fellowship (for which full doctrinal agreement is required) and other manifestations of Christian fellowship, such as prayer fellowship (which do not necessarily require full doctrinal agreement). Disagreements on this issue led the Wisconsin Synod to break fellowship with the LCMS in 1961.
   
   
2. The doctrine of the ministry.
   With respect to the doctrine of the ministry, since the days of C.F.W. Walther our Synod has held that the office of the public ministry (the pastoral office) according to Scripture is the one divinely established office in the church, while the church possesses the freedom to create other offices, by human institution, from time to time to assist in the carrying out of the functions of the pastoral ministry. The WELS' Theses on Church and Ministry, however, expressly deny that the pastoral ministry is specifically instituted by the Lord in contrast to other forms of public ministry (see Doctrinal Statements, pp. 9-11; cf. the Commission on Theology and Church Relations' 1981 report on The Ministry: Office, Procedures, and Nomenclature.
   
   
3. The role of women in the church.
   While both the LCMS and the WELS strongly oppose the ordination of women to the pastoral office on Scriptural grounds, the LCMS has concluded that the Scriptures do not forbid woman suffrage in the church. The WELS opposes woman suffrage in the church as contrary to Scripture.

 

[Wgw]

A C and P from lcms.org
Q: What are the main differences between the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)?

A: From the LCMS perspective, the three main theological differences between the LCMS and the WELS are the following:

1. The biblical understanding of fellowship.
   The WELS holds to what is called the "unit concept" of fellowship, which places virtually all joint expressions of the Christian faith on the same level. In an official statement made in 1960 the WELS states, "Church fellowship should therefore be treated as a unit concept, covering every joint expression, manifestation, and demonstration of a common faith" (Doctrinal Statements of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, 1970, pp. 51-52). The LCMS, however, has historically not understood or practiced church fellowship in this way. Our Synod, for example, has made a distinction between altar and pulpit fellowship (for which full doctrinal agreement is required) and other manifestations of Christian fellowship, such as prayer fellowship (which do not necessarily require full doctrinal agreement). Disagreements on this issue led the Wisconsin Synod to break fellowship with the LCMS in 1961.
   
   
2. The doctrine of the ministry.
   With respect to the doctrine of the ministry, since the days of C.F.W. Walther our Synod has held that the office of the public ministry (the pastoral office) according to Scripture is the one divinely established office in the church, while the church possesses the freedom to create other offices, by human institution, from time to time to assist in the carrying out of the functions of the pastoral ministry. The WELS' Theses on Church and Ministry, however, expressly deny that the pastoral ministry is specifically instituted by the Lord in contrast to other forms of public ministry (see Doctrinal Statements, pp. 9-11; cf. the Commission on Theology and Church Relations' 1981 report on The Ministry: Office, Procedures, and Nomenclature.
   
   
3. The role of women in the church.
   While both the LCMS and the WELS strongly oppose the ordination of women to the pastoral office on Scriptural grounds, the LCMS has concluded that the Scriptures do not forbid woman suffrage in the church. The WELS opposes woman suffrage in the church as contrary to Scripture.

Do the LCMS and WELS have a diaconate?

 

[SalusaSecundus]

Do the LCMS and WELS have a diaconate?

Yes. I am WELS and we have a deacon.

 

[Shane R]

Do the LCMS and WELS have a diaconate?

Not like Orthodox jurisdictions. The LCMS has a diaconate as a substitute preacher, more or less. Larger congregations have an eldership and display congregational organization (though I think LCMS is better defined as presbyterian in its polity). Many "confessional" Lutherans are opposed to the preaching deacon: see http://steadfastlutherans.org/ for the hard-line expression of the opposition.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Do the LCMS and WELS have a diaconate?

Not like Orthodox jurisdictions. The LCMS has a diaconate as a substitute preacher, more or less. Larger congregations have an eldership and display congregational organization (though I think LCMS is better defined as presbyterian in its polity). Many "confessional" Lutherans are opposed to the preaching deacon: see http://steadfastlutherans.org/ for the hard-line expression of the opposition.

Not quite correct; both LCMS and LCC have a Diaconate; Male Deacons that attend Sem. can be, and usually are, licensed to preach. Female Deacons (Deaconess) may not, but do serve as teachers and administrative assistants and in other ways separate from the office of the Holy Ministry.

Good article here: http://lutheranchurch.ca/canluth/cl2904-the-diaconate-in-lcc.pdf

 

[Dakota Brother]

I believe there is some discussion between WELS and LCMS on going regularly, hopefully to eventually resolve any differences

 

[ContraMundum]

I believe there is some discussion between WELS and LCMS on going regularly, hopefully to eventually resolve any differences

Don't hold your breath.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Don't hold your breath.

We do, however, hold a deep respect for each other.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Don't hold your breath.

What separates us is even more ridiculous (for lack of a better word) than what separates Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

 

[Moses Medina]

What separates us is even more ridiculous (for lack of a better word) than what separates Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

I totally agree with this. Though I do agree that complete unity should be adhered to but I don't see either Synod ever backing down.