United States

The People

A nation of immigrants, the United States—with its population of 273 million—is the most ethnically diverse country on earth. Increases in Hispanic, Asian and African-American populations are expected to make White, English-speaking people one among many minorities by the middle of the next century. Once almost entirely rural, the people are increasingly urban (now, 76 percent). As a nation the people are members of a society that is the most diverse, pluralistic and economically wealthy and powerful of this century.

The Religion

Eighty-five percent of the population claim to be Christians, 2 percent are Muslim, 2 percent are Jews, 11 percent are non-religious or have no preference. While interest in religion is increasing; belief in God is almost universal (95 percent); and the opinion that religion is relevant for today's problems remains steady at 60 percent, membership in and support of organized religion (denominational structures) have declined in recent years. Regular attendance at public worship has declined to less than 40 percent of membership claimed and active participation in church programs is even less.

The Challenges

• Ministering to an increasingly diverse and pluralistic population.
• Altering outreach strategies to witness to an increasingly urban population.
• Meeting the challenges of growing secularism, materialism and humanism.
• Growth of Islam, Mormonism and New Age.
• Continued breakdown in the family structure.

The Opportunities

• Involvement of "grass roots" (congregations and mission societies) in starting new missions.
• More and greater leadership roles for ethnic groups other than White, European.
• Vision on the part of leaders for outreach.
• Begin a Missionary Track at both seminaries.
• The start of the Center for U.S. Missions at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif.
• New strategies for mission development, like Church Extension through Leadership Development.

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in the United States

A migration of German Lutherans from Saxony in the mid 1840s formed what we know today as The Lutheran—Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). From its earliest days the LCMS had domestic and foreign mission programs. Today, as the ethnic diversity of the United States increases, so does the diversity of mission outreach to these different cultures. Examples of mission outreach supported by LCMS World Mission in the United States are:

African American

The United States Census Bureau estimates that were are 35 million people of African American decent living in the United States in 1999. African Americans are the largest non-white ethnic group in the LCMS, nearly 54,000 and growing. More than 40 new ministries targeting African Americans have been started in the past 8 years. Through the Lay Planter Confereence, Mission Planters Institute and Urban Institute, new leaders are being raised up and new people of African American descent are being reached with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. The goal of Black Minsitry is to increase the numbers of African Americans in the LCMS from 54,000 to approx a 100,000 by the year of 2010. Click Here to visit the LCMS Board for Black Ministry web site and learn more about its ministry among African Americans.

African Immigrants

There are an estimated 1.7 million African immigrants in the United States. Many are poor and lack sufficient life essentials, such as housing, medical and legal care. African Christian leaders are so committed to beginning new churches among the African immigrants in the United States that our partner church in Ghana sent a missionary to the United States to work in the Northeast. Current plans are to begin 100 new missions among African immigrants in the next three years. Sixty-five new preaching stations serving approximately 2,000 people have begun among African immigrants.

American Indians

There are approximately 1.9 million American Indians in the United States. The birth rate among American Indians is among the highest in the United States. About one-half of Native Americans live on reservations, the other half live in large, inner cities. The LCMS has 10 full-time plus several "part-time" workers at 16 ministry sites. The task force for Ministry among American Indians has taken the leadership in beginning a "Council for Lutheran American Indian Ministries." An executive has been hired and is working to raise the consciousness of LCMS districts and congregations to the opportunity for evangelistic work among American Indians.

Asian Indian

Since the early 1970s many Asian Indians have come to the United States. Although they live in the United States, they do not want to give up their native culture – music, dress or food. Asian Indians numbering around 1 million live in a culturethat emphasizes group decisions. If a small group of Asian Indians become committed to Lutheran doctrine, more will follow. Work has started in five LCMS districts: Missouri, Ohio, English, Kansas and Texas. Work will begin in New York in the near future.

Blind

Up to this point there have been no blind congregations – blind people have worshiped with sighted people. Most of our work has been to produce materials in braille and on audiotapes for use by blind people. The LCMS is a leader in this area. This past year Rev. David Andrus (himself blind) joined LCMS World Mission as Counselor for Blind Missions. He is beginning a blind mission institute to train blind leaders as teachers and evangelists. Click Here to visit the LCMS Blind Mission web site and learn more about its ministry among blind and visually impaired persons.

Campus – American/International

There are 175 full-time and part-time campus missionaries, more than 700 additional congregations that serve as contacts with university campuses, and 155 LSF chapters. Forty-three campus ministries have an intentional ministry to international students. (note here that there are 64 intentional ministries) There are more than 500,000 (from ISI, they give a number of 660,000) international students on U.S. campuses; with their spouses and dependents, international students represent a mission field of over 1 million people (a lot closer to 1.5 + million) . Campus ministry leaders have held workshops to train leaders among international students on how to begin small group Bible studies, and how to train leaders to begin more Bible studies—so that once they return home they can become "missionaries." Click Here to visit the LCMS Campus Ministry web site. Click Here to visit the International Student Ministry web site.

Chinese

There are currently 16 Chinese pastors with 13 actively serving 28 congregations and missions among the Chinese people in the United States. An executive committee now plans to produce resources for the Chinese congregations, such as material for evangelism, Sunday school curriculum, worship supplements, etc. New communities are springing up around the United States as Chinese people from around the world look for a better life, pursue business and as young people travel abroad as foreign students. The Chinese population in the United States is 2 million and makes up the single largest Asian ethnic group in the United States.

Deaf Missions

There are 61 deaf churches, the most of any North American denomination. Because the culture in the deaf community is so different from that of the hearing culture, the LCMS has focused its efforts on the development of "deaf" congregations. Since 95 percent of deaf people are not churched, this is a vast mission field.

Hispanic

About 34 million Hispanic people live in the United States today. There are presently 120 Hispanic congregations in the LCMS and 96 Hispanic workers. Hispanics have much to bring to Missouri Synod Lutheranism. Leadership development is the primary focus of our new Hispanic missions. Lay people are equipped to lead home Bible studies, attend leaders’ meetings regularly and bring their groups to a central worship service led by the missionary.

A new "PowerPoint" presentation containing valuable information about Hispanics in the United States has been added to the Resource page. Click here to go to that page now.

Hmong

There are approximately 300,000 Hmong in the United States. They are recent immigrants, arriving since the end of the Vietnam War. Many Hmong do not speak English and most are poor and have entry-level jobs. The main religion for Hmong is animism. Today it is estimated that less than 1 percent of the Hmong population in the world are Christian and less than 10 percent of the Hmong in the United States are Christian. The Hmong Task Force is committed to helping the districts, circuits and congregations plant churches and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Hmong people. Hmong ministries have been started mostly in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. There are now sixteen Hmong congregations worshiping in the LCMS and three Hmong ordained ministers.

Jewish

The LCMS Jewish Task Force is composed of people committed to the evangelization of Jews. The Apple of His Eye Messianic Mission sites include: Los Angeles, Houston, St. Louis and New York. Lutherans in Jewish Evangelsim (LIJE) operates in Florida and there are two Messianic congregations, one in St. Louis (Congregation Chai V'Shalom) and one in Rego Park, Queens, N. Y. (Congregation Beth El). A new Missionary training Center was established in St. Louis to prepare workers for service on the field of Jewish missions.

Most Lutherans have Jewish friends today... but sadly most are uncertain as to how they can bring the message of Messiah to them. The Apple of His Eye is dedicated to not only presenting the Gospel to the lost, but also helping the Believer to effectively communicate his faith. For more information about "Apple of His Eye" click here to visit their web site.

Korean

Just five years ago there were only 11 Korean congregations in the LCMS; today there are 40. Typical problems of immigrant groups affect Koreans: cultural dissonance, work issues, home and church building sites, prejudice and finances. In the Korean tradition the pastor is a very strong leader. Most Koreans are first generation immigrants. Worship services are held in the Korean language, although parents want Sunday school to be in English.

Muslim

The best estimates say there are between 4 and 6 million Muslims in the United States. Islam is called "the fastest growing religion in the world." In the United States growth among Muslims has been mainly due to immigration of Arab people and the conversion of African Americans. The largest concentration of Arab immigrants is in Detroit, Michigan. A Muslim task force has been developed to open new mission fields among Muslims in North America using Church Extension through Leadership Development. So far eight new churches and preaching stations have been started.

Urban

Very simply, most cities in the United States are growing larger and most LCMS congregations in cities are growing smaller. In four of the five largest cities of the United States, (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia), baptized membership has declined 50 percent in the last 25 years. To reverse this trend an Urban Task Force has been formed to strengthen existing urban churches and to work with districts and local congregations to begin new churches in the city.

Vietnamese

There are approximately 1 million Vietnamese immigrants in the United States, most of whom have never had a chance to hear the Gospel. There are six LCMS Vietnamese congregations. Pressing needs for these people include education, health care, family counseling and legal aid. The largest Vietnamese populations are in California and Texas, with other large communities in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and St. Louis. Pastors and Christian workers are desperately needed to reach out to these people.

White-English Speaking

About 75 percent of the U.S. population is of European descent and speaks English. Ravaged by secularism and materialism, this group has become increasingly a “mission field.” New Age adherents have made inroads as have various Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. By the year 2050, less than half of the U.S. population will be White—English speaking. A Mission Planters Institute has been started to train those who plant new churches in North America. So far more than 200 mission planters have been trained.