LCMS vs. WELS?

Question

I've heard of some differences like:
-LCMS believes that there are errors in the Bible, WELS says there are None.
-Women in LCMS are given authoritative positions over men. WELS doesn't allow that at all.
-LCMS prays with people of other various beliefs, WELS does not.

are those true? what are some other differences? there has to be more than that....is that why the 2 split?

Answer 1

From the LCMS website:

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 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 the Scriptures 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 the Scriptures.

Answer 2

The LCMS is distinguished from the closest non-LCMS Lutheran US denomination — the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) — by three main theological beliefs:

1.) The biblical understanding of fellowship — the LCMS believes in a distinction between the altar, pulpit fellowship, and other manifestations of Christian fellowship (i.e., a prayer fellowship). The WELS does not.

2.) The doctrine of the ministry — the LCMS believes that the Pastoral office is divinely established, but all other offices are human institutions and hence are not divinely established. The WELS believes that other offices, such as teachers, are also divinely established.

3.) The role of women in the church — Although both the LCMS and WELS agree that Scripture reserves the pastoral office for men, the WELS also believes that Scripture forbids women's suffrage in the congregation.

WELS closely follows the strict teaching & interpretation of Martin Luther circa 1517.

Answer 3

Wisconsin Synod Vs Missouri Synod

Answer 4

The questioner is speaking of the Lutheran religion. Read the clues in the catagory. I'm sorry I don't have any answers. I do know that the WELS is my father's favored church as the other one riduculed him for being divorced. So I am guessing that the WELS is a bit more openminded in how life happens to more than 50% of the people in this country. There's a bit of info in the link for you-Good luck

Answer 5

What in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is LCMS and WELS?? Is it important?

Answer 6

If you would explain what LCMS and WELS are maybe you would get a better respond to your question.
BB

Answer 7

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=523
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Evangelical_Lutheran_Synod
Some doctrinal answers at these sites---call some pastor's from both synods for more info.

Answer 8

Who?