Orthodox Lutherans – South Carolina exists in order to uphold traditional expressions of Christianity and Lutheranism within the South Carolina Synod. At present OL-SC is not affiliated with Lutheran Churches in Mission for Christ (LCMC) or Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal). We are simply an association of South Carolina Lutherans, rostered and lay, who through worship, prayer and reflection seek a unity and common voice while encouraging commitment to reforming the SC Synod and the ELCA.

Statement of Beliefs and Purpose
Orthodox Lutherans – South Carolina

· We confess the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

· We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

· We accept the canonical Scriptures of the old and new Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation.

· We accept the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the faith of this congregation.

· We accept the unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the Gospel, acknowledging as one with it in faith and doctrine all churches that likewise accept the teachings of the unaltered Augsburg Confession.

· We accept the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord, namely the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles and the Treatise, the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid interpretations of the faith of the Church.


It is the purpose of this Association of Orthodox Lutherans – South Carolina

1. To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

2. To view Holy Scripture, as recorded in the canon of old and new Testaments, as the inspired Word of God and as the authoritative source and norm of our faith and life

3. To provide opportunity for worship, prayer and reflection for rostered leaders, congregations and individuals who wish to affirm a traditional understanding of scripture and Lutheran confessional documents.

4. To resolve the South Carolina Synod of the ELCA to uphold the historic doctrine and teaching of the Church regarding marriage and to maintain the Statement “Vision and Expectations” as in effect prior to its 2009 Assembly.

5. And, to memorialize the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to rescind its social statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust; to discontinue implementation of Ministry Policies approved at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly; and to use as policy for rostered leaders of this Church the pre-2009 Assembly document, “Vision and Expectations”.

Though this association of Orthodox Lutherans of South Carolina is a work in process, its intention is to seek a unity and a common voice among Lutherans who desire a return to a more traditional understanding of Lutheran doctrines and policies.