Regarding the Lutheran religion, who is their top religious leader? For example, Catholicism has the Pope.?

Question

I'm wondering how the Lutheran faith keeps its doctrine consistent through out all it's congregations throughout the world

Answer 1

I have researched this question and a definite answer illudes me. However, one thing seems sure and that is, there is no universal leader. the lutheran Church seems to allow its churches based in countries or states to set up thir own heirarchical system. Here is what one writer has said:-
I am a member of the Lutheran Chuch-Missouri Synod. When this group of immigrants came to the USA, they were running from a "state church" system in Germany which was bureaucratic as well as hierarchal. Because of the abuses of the Lutheran state church, they determined not to have a heirarchy in the church in this country.

We have no bishops nor friars. Instead of nuns we do have trained workers, both men and women called Deacons and Deaconesses. This word in the Greek (diakona) means "worker". They are full time church workers with the pastor (shepherd) and may also be teachers, choir directors or whatever they congregaton calls them to do .. and that they have accepted to fulfill these duties.

The titles we use are mostly descriptions of the offices to which they have been called.

Even the congregations are independent of the main church management offices which assist with calls from congregations to pastors of their choice, pensions, insurance, opening new congregations, building church buildings, etc. The local congregation owns their building, calls pastors as they will, and follow customs and traditions much as they would like to.

Of course as the Missouri Synod grew to millions of members and spread overseas ,a corporate hierarcy did creep in for the sake of order. But from its inception these tendencies have been fought. Being a denomination which puts much emphasis on the Bible as God's Word, Jesus words about forms of hierarchy are held dear:

Luke 22:24-28

24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
(from New International Version)

Answer 2

I can answer that Lutheranism does not have a single leader, such as the Pope, in their church structure. But many hierarchical strata still remain, like Catholicism. This is also true of other Reformed churches like Presbyterians and also makes them a source of criticism among Baptists, who prefer an universally democratic approach to church leadership.

Answer 3

That's actually a very good question to which I have no answer. I don't know if Lutherans have a conclave of pastors. The attitude of my former pastor was that of God himself (that's why I ran screaming away from organized religion).

Oh I do like Kim's answer. Yes, if you're going to be a Christian you should be following Jesus...not Paul like too many people like quoting.

Answer 4

Lutheran is part of the Christian religion. What you mean is the Lutheran denomination.

Here is a link that will tell you more than you asked:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheran_Church

Answer 5

There can be leaders of a church of Lutheran, but he is'nt considered infallible.

Jesus should be considered the head of the church.

Answer 6

I believe that the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church wears his own particular head covering and robes.

Answer 7

it should be Jesus........same as with the catholics, it should be Jesus!!