A Brief Summary of the

“But do I have to be Lutheran?” is a question often asked by people seeking enrollment in our schools, but who are not members of a Lutheran Church. The answer is “No, you do not have to be a Lutheran, but you do need to know what ‘being a Lutheran’ means.”

Faith Lutheran Schools are owned and operated by Faith Lutheran Church (FLC) and have been a part of the Sugar Land community since 1975 (Preschool) and 1981 (Elementary). Although FLC has been a part of the Sugar Land community since 1972, it is also part of a “Lutheran community” that we call the Missouri Synod. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) is a “family” of 2.4 million Christians, gathered in more than 6,150 congregations throughout the United States. Our church body was founded more than 150 years ago by a small group of immigrants in America who were dedicated to preaching and teaching the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins through Christ alone. Many of these immigrants settled in central Missouri, hence the word “Missouri” in our church’s name. The LC-MS has always had a strong commitment to Christian education, establishing the first parochial school in 1847.

The beliefs of the LC-MS can be summarized into three basic statements. First, the universe, including humankind, was created by God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, in seven literal days. Second, humankind is separated from God by the state of sin. This separation, if not remedied, will result in everlasting damnation for the separated soul. Third, the remedy for the sin-sick soul is found in the belief that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, came into this world to pay the debt of sin for all people. He rose again and gives us new life, a life that has meaning, purpose and direction. We believe that Jesus is with us and that He still rules His church today through His Word. Therefore, we are committed to reading, studying and growing in the inerrant Word of God, the Holy Bible. Through the Word and Sacraments (Holy Baptism and the Lord’ Supper) the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, “calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies” each believer on earth and keeps us in the “one true faith.” The official statements of the beliefs and confessions of our church can be found in the Book of Concord, a collection of works by Martin Luther and other leaders of the Protestant Reformation.

As a creedal church, we hold definite beliefs on many points of Christian faith. For instance, the LC-MS affirms the sanctity of human life, including the life of an unborn child; the importance of stable family life and of fidelity in marriage (we define marriage as the union of one man and one woman); and the abstention from illegal drugs. The LC-MS opposes a homosexual lifestyle and cohabitation or sexual relations outside the marital relationship. These are only examples of the LC-MS’s position on a number of contemporary questions of conduct and morals. For clarification or questions regarding these and other practices and beliefs, the Administrators of the school or the Pastor of the church are available for further discussion.

The LC-MS can be described as Christ-centered and people-sensitive. We place great emphasis on caring and nurturing people of all ages and nationalities. Collectively we operate several relief programs in which we provide not only spiritual care but care for physical and emotional needs for people who suffer from natural disasters or personal tragedies. We maintain a large network of hospitals and nursing homes, missions (in nearly 70 countries), and human-care agencies. We are a respected leader in the field of Christian education, operating almost 2,500 early childhood centers, elementary and high schools serving more than 280,000 children synod-wide.

We are united, not by our color, or our occupations, or our social and economic status, but by our union with the living Lord Jesus Christ and our common confession of the truths of His Word. We rejoice and live in the faith that God has given us. We are eager to share that faith with many others, so that all may come to know Jesus Christ, the one who brings us real peace, deep joy and life forever.

For further information regarding the beliefs and practices of the LC-MS, please visit www.lcms.org or speak with the Administrator of the school or the Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, 281-242-4453.

Faith Lutheran School expects that the families of its students will not act in a way that is contrary to or disrupts the teachings of the LC-MS in matters of religious faith and personal conduct. Family members who are not LC-MS members are, of course, not required to believe or confess the teachings or beliefs of the LC-MS. However, family members may not, in any way that may affect the school, promote beliefs that are contrary to those of the LC-MS or otherwise weaken the LC-MS Christian atmosphere at the school. Family members are expected to lead personal lives that do not violate the teachings of the LC-MS on matters of personal conduct in their daily lives and undermine Faith Lutheran’s mission as an LC-MS Christian institution. If a family member of a student or applicant for enrollment challenges LC-MS teachings at FLS or conducts his or her life in a way that is contrary to those teachings, the student or applicant may be expelled, suspended, or refused enrollment.

LC-MS doctrine and practice are derived from the Christian scriptures, the Lutheran confessions, and the applicable resolutions of the LC-MS. For all purposes of this policy the decision of the Administrators/Superintendent of what constitutes the beliefs and teachings of the LC-MS and what actions or conduct constitutes a violation of this policy shall be final and binding.