Saint Mary Evangelical Lutheran Church acknowledges there are many likeminded Orthodox, Confessional Lutherans in heterodox synods and denominations. As a congregation, we consider ourselves to be in fellowship with likeminded Orthodox, Confessional Lutherans holding the Biblical, Historical Lutheran Faith.

Often when a congregation is independent, defining what being independent is becomes necessary. The general usage of the term "independent congregation" often means that a congregation is unaffiliated or not officially a member of an established synod. Sometimes, pastors may be members of established synods while their congregation may indeed be "independent" of an established denomination, synod or microsynod.

Many congregations in Lutheran denominations today are self-governing and appear to be theologically autonomous. There often is a lack of doctrinal unity and common confession of what is believed, taught and practiced. The most common honest agreement that some of these synods and denominations will agree on, is that they have accepted a "reconciled diversity." Such claim to be united and can and do agree upon one thing, "that they do in fact have doctrinal disagreements with each other!" This diversity and toleration is apparently considered to be normal even when there is no sense of unity of confession...

In contemporary Lutheranism, often when someone becomes a member of a congregation affiliated with a particular synod, they are usually considered attached to that synod and in fellowship with all other members of congregations affiliated with that synod. This fellowship exists regardless of what is believed, taught or practiced. What is known as sinful and wrong in some congregations is sometimes considered right and acceptable in other congregations.

One cannot find the words "synod" or "denomination" in the Holy Scriptures. These are man-made organizations governed by man-made rules. Some may consider these man-made organizations churchly, but not the Church.

Saint Mary Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation in the theological tradition of Martin Luther, C.F.W. Walther and Francis Pieper. Our congregation looks forward to the possibility of being affiliated in the near future with the Association of Confessional Lutheran Churches (ACLC) and other likeminded Lutheran Christians.