About the Church of the Lutheran Brethren
The CLBA, as a denomination, exists to serve congregations in their obedience to the Great Commission, locally, nationally and internationally. This commission calls us to proclaim Christ, causing people to trust and follow Him.
For the first 50 years of CLBA history over 50% of denominational funds were spent on overseas missions, living out the vision that was in the founders' hearts. Today the people of the CLBA are experiencing a growing desire to reach out to our communities and to plant more congregations in North America. Our vision is to found congregations that are aligned to the Scriptures as authoritative, and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as central. We believe this is God’s primary way of bringing truth and meaning to a broken world. Congregations with living ministries of worship, nurture, evangelism, caring and loving fellowship that are well led are the hope for light and life in our communities and in our world. The prayer of our congregations is that the Lord will use us who have received grace through faith, to be centers for spiritual life.
What is the Church of the Lutheran Brethren
It is a fellowship of Lutheran congregations born out of spiritual awakenings and revivals in the Midwest during the 1890s.
Evangelism and missions has always been at the heart of who we are.
It is a fellowship of churches on three continents.
There about 125 churches in the United States and Canada affiliated with the Lutheran Brethren. There are some 1800 churches and chapels in Cameroon, Chad, Japan, and Taiwan.
It is a fellowship that is unique in Lutheranism.
Because of our stand on church membership, our non-liturgical forms of worship, our belief in the millennial reign of Christ on earth, and our strong emphasis on evangelism and personal Christianity, the Lutheran Brethren Church stands apart from other Lutheran bodies.
Why not just be an independent church?
We are an independent church! Every Lutheran Brethren congregation is completely independent. There is no hierarchical control as there is in many other denominations. Each church is self-governed, owns its own property, calls its own pastors, establishes its own programs, and determines its own affairs. The synod has an advisory function only.
What are the advantages of affiliating with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren?
1. It allows us to identify with other like-minded Christians around the world who are known for their commitment to the Scripture and biblical Lutheranism.
2. It allows our church to participate in a significant missionary enterprise. We are able to partner with other churches in spreading the gospel and planting churches in North America, Asia, and Africa.
3. It enables us to better reach our community—a community largely made up of Lutheran and Catholic people.