LCMS U Registration FAQs

Q: What is LCMS U?

A: LCMS U is The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s new official campus ministry network. It is the place to connect and support our students, congregations and campus ministries, so that we can boldly bear witness to Christ on our nation’s college campuses.

Q: What is the purpose of the LCMS U registration drive?

A: The most important function of LCMS U is to provide accurate and accessible information to the Synod for all who are interested in campus ministry. Everyone has a stake in helping students, parents, pastors, youth workers and others connect with those who are engaged in campus ministry throughout the Synod. This requires current and accurate information.

Q: Can we still register with LCMS U after June 15, 2013?

A: Yes, of course. This will be an ongoing process. However, after June 15, 2013 we can’t guarantee your campus ministry will be listed in the The Lutheran Annual 2014 or other print publications that many in the LCMS use to access information about campus ministries across the nation. Why wait!

Q: Are there designations for different types, or sizes, of campus ministries?

A: No. In the past, the Synod has listed congregations as a campus ministry due to their proximity to a college, or whether they were intentionally engaged in campus ministry or not. Campus ministries were also designated as full-time, part-time or dedicated ministries based upon reporting from those at the local, circuit or district levels. While such designations may be helpful at those levels, LCMS U will no longer report these details.

Q: What is meant by “intentionally serve”?

A: We simply mean to ask: are you actively carrying out a campus ministry?

Q: My congregation was listed in The Lutheran Annual in the past as a “contact” congregation for campus ministry. Will this still be the case?

A: No. All congregations are by nature “contact” congregations. In order to be recognized by LCMS U, the campus ministry must be intentionally serving as a campus ministry.

Q: Why the need to indicate both a non-student and student campus ministry participant to be considered a part of LCMS U?

A: All campus ministries have a few things in common. They have students and those who work with them. You need both to intentionally serve on campus.

Q: What is a sponsor?

A: Campus ministry support comes in a variety of shapes and forms. Campus ministries are sponsored (i.e. supported and/or carried out) by individual congregations, multiple congregations, circuits, districts or perhaps mission societies or Recognized Service Organizations (RSO).

Q: Wait, our campus ministry is already a Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) Chapter, a Christ on Campus Chapter or both, what does this mean?

A: Various RSO’s and other organizations have developed chapter systems in the past, including Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF), serving in its capacity as the Synod’s official student organization. Since LCMS U is building a bigger and bolder student component within its structure, a transition is under way that will bring to conclusion the service of LSF at the end of the 2012-2013 academic cycle. Those campus ministries that have been a part of LSF, or other chapter programs, are encouraged to register with LCMS U in its capacity as the Synod’s official campus ministry network.

Q: Are there dues, or any other requirements, associated with being registered with LCMS U?

A: There are no dues to join LCMS U. There will be a requirement, however, to update information on a yearly basis so that it remains current — enabling us to build the network and publicly share accurate campus ministry information.

Q: Is there any other way of submitting this information?

A: No. This is the only official way to be registered with the Synod. The LCMS Office of National Mission requests all campus ministries to utilize this LCMS U registration process.

Q: Is there a way to get a custom LCMS U logo incorporating our local school colors?

A: Yes. We are developing a separate process for LCMS U chapters to apply for a custom LCMS U logo utilizing official school colors. This opportunity will be announced by May 1, 2013. We will provide guidelines for logo usage as well as opportunities to purchase and/or develop various LCMS U promotional items with both the official LCMS U Logo and the custom logos (banners, table drapes, etc.)

Q: I still have questions, who do I contact?

A: If you have any questions, please call the LCMS at 888-THE LCMS or write to infocenter@lcms.org. You’ll be connected to LCMS U staff.