Catholic and Evangelical: Missouri Synod Lutherans are Both!

We are evangelical in our regard for Sacred Scripture as the very Word of God, and the only source of Christian doctrine. We are catholic in our adherence to the ancient liturgical, sacramental and moral traditions of the western Church. Christ the King strives to be a congregation faithful to both these aspects of our Lutheran heritage.

What We Believe

As a parish of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we are a "confessional" congregation. This means that we hold to certain beliefs which we acknowledge or proclaim (i.e., "confess") and by which we seek to order our lives as individuals and as a community of Christians.

The doctrines of the Lutheran Church are drawn entirely from Scripture, and are summarized in the Book of Concord, which was published by the Lutheran reformers in 1580. Every pastor of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is bound by his ordination vows to conform all his teaching - and, indeed, his entire ministry -to the Holy Scriptures and the Book of Concord.

We believe and confess:

• That humanity is separated from God by sin. Original sin is that disposition toward evil which we have inherited from Adam and Eve. Actual sin is the term used to describe our own personal acts of disobedience of God's law.
• That we cannot free ourselves from sin, or from its ultimate consequences -- death and hell.
• That Jesus Christ, true God and true man, has perfectly fulfilled the law of God on our behalf; and although He Himself is sinless, He has paid the penalty for our offenses by His death on the cross.
• That for the sake of Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice, God the Father now forgives our sins and "credits" or "applies" to all believers the righteousness of Jesus.
• That because of this forgiveness, those who place their trust and faith in Christ now have the opportunity for eternal life with God.
• That God applies this forgiveness, life and salvation through the means of His Word and Sacraments; and that He has called certain men (pastors) into the Office of the Holy Ministry to preach the Word of Truth and administer the Sacraments instituted by Christ.