St. James Lutheran Church

What We Believe

St. James Lutheran is a parish of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS confesses the true Christian faith in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; a faith built on “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2.20). We receive and celebrate this true faith through the Holy Word of God and the Liturgy of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

The Holy Trinity

With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God, who created all that exists; became man in the person of Jesus Christ to suffer, die, and rise again for the world’s redemption; and brings people to faith and new life through His Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are coequal and coeternal, one God.

The Bible

We believe and teach without reservation that the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice. In addition, St. James Lutheran Church accepts without reservation the writings contained in the Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Believing in the authority of Holy Scripture and that the Lutheran Confessions are a correct interpretation and presentation of biblical doctrine and liturgical ministry, our congregations agree to conform all their teaching and practice to the Scriptures and the Confessions (known as the Book of Concord). 

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

The Synod in convention is the “principle legislative assembly” of the LCMS and its resolutions and statements are the position of the Synod in matters of doctrine and life. The Constitution and Bylaws of the LCMS provide specific guidance for the implementation and supervision of the teaching and practice of its members. 

An LCMS congregation or ministry operates according to its own constitution and bylaws – which are required by the Synod Bylaws to be reviewed by the District through which the congregation holds membership in the Synod – and therein establishes an orderly way of making decisions and determines which individuals or entities in the congregation (e.g., the pastor, church council, board of elders) will have authority to act on behalf of the congregation in specific circumstances. The Constitution and bylaws of St. James Lutheran Church and School  govern our decision-making and policies. A copy is available upon request.

Statement on Holy Matrimony

We believe and teach that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1.26-27) and are purposed in matrimony for human flourishing, benefitting parents and children alike. 

We believe and teach that, from the time of the creation of our First Parents (Adam and Eve), God initiated the institution of matrimony for the protection of women in the child-making, child-bearing process. This institution was transformed by our Lord Jesus Christ at the dawn of the new creation, when He rose from the dead and took for Himself a Bride - the Holy Church. Christ Jesus thus purposes to remake couples and families within the bonds of Holy Matrimony, using this sacred and sanctifying institution, not only for human flourishing and our delight, but also to transform us into His glorious likeness. In this way, Holy Matrimony is treasured a sacrament of the Church, in accordance with Saint Paul's teaching in Ephesians 5.21-32.

Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Psalm 139).