Beliefs

Beliefs and Practice

With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God:

• the Father, creator of all that exists;
• Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and
• the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.
  The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.

Being Lutheran

Our congregations accept and preach the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, and Scripture alone.

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Our Purpose

At Shepherd of the Grove, we magnify God’s name by leading people to membership in His family, developing them to spiritual maturity, and furnishing them with a conviction for the mission of ministry in our community and the world.

Through the power of God’s Spirit, we endeavor to lovingly serve others by accepting each person with the attitude of Jesus Christ.

Who are Lutherans?

Lutherans are followers of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we obtain everlasting life in heaven. We believe that the Holy Spirit calls people to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus as their Savior.

Lutherans believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God that tells of God’s wonderful plan of salvation for His people. It tells of God the Creator speaking the world into being, mankind falling into sin and being separated from God, and God’s plan to bring mankind back into a relationship with Him. The Bible shows us our need for a Savior through the Laws of God and the consequences of not following them perfectly. But because all people fail, it shows God’s love and forgiveness through His Son Jesus.

Lutherans believe that there are “means” by which this grace of God comes to us: by reading the Bible, through baptism, and by partaking of the Lord’s Supper (communion). Teaching the truths of the Bible and the Christian faith are very important to Lutherans.

We at Shepherd also conduct many service activities to reach out in Christian love to those in need, both within the congregation and in the community. In addition, Lutherans support many missionary efforts in all parts of the world.

The following Bible readings will tell you more about God’s plan for salvation through His Son Jesus:

John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1-21, Acts 2:38-42, Romans 3:22-24, and Acts 4:12.