2006-09-01 06:47:56 · 7 answers · asked by susie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It depends on what branch of Lutheranism you're talking about. There are several Lutheran churches. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has bishops. The state churches of Scandinavia (Church of Norway, Church of Sweden, etc) are Lutheran churches and they also have bishops.
Other branches of Lutheranism don't have bishops. The most well-known bishop-less Lutheran church is the Missouri Synod. There are alot of Missouri Synod Lutherans in the USA (I think it's the largest Lutheran body in the country). They have a synod president, but he's not a bishop. They just have ministers and elders in individual congregations.
2006-09-01 07:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by Sass B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Bishops in the Lutheran community. Just the pastor.
2006-09-01 06:49:07 · answer #2 · answered by Shining Ray of Light 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the ELCA Lutheran Church does. Not sure about about the Missouri or Wisconsin Synods though.
Ha I didn't think there were that many Lutherans out there anymore.
2006-09-01 06:57:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Bishops in Lutheran Churches are just an administrative title, not something sacramental and apostolic.
2006-09-01 06:50:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lutherans do have bishops, but they are not direct successors of the original apostles, nor do they share apostolic authority.
2006-09-01 07:30:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. My current pastor was just elected Bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod. He also has a bishop pver him.
2006-09-01 06:48:56 · answer #6 · answered by They call me ... Trixie. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, just like the Catholics do.
2006-09-01 06:49:18 · answer #7 · answered by ramall1to 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋