Campus Ministry — Frequently Asked Questions
College is tough. You need Jesus. We’ll help.
Q: What is LCMS U?
A: LCMS U is The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s official campus ministry network. It is the place to connect and support our students, congregations and campus ministries so we may 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: 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. 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 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 is it necessary 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: 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 another 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 it possible to get a custom LCMS U logo incorporating our local school colors?
A: Yes. We developed a separate process for LCMS U chapters to apply for a custom LCMS U logo utilizing official school colors. Please submit your request via this form
Q: I still have questions; whom do I contact?
A: If you have any questions, please call the LCMS at 888-843-5267 (THE LCMS) or email LCMSU@lcms.org. You’ll be connected to LCMS U staff.
Register an LCMS U Chapter