Who we are

Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

 
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“Synod in this place”

The Minnesota South District is one of 35 districts in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). As a church body, LCMS churches are “committed to a common confession and mission” and so “join with one another in the Synod to support one another and to work together in carrying out their commonly adopted objectives.” The Synod works “in support of and on behalf of congregations to assist them in carrying out their ministries as they seek to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, the members of His body, and the world which stands in need of the Word and the impact of His redeeming love” (Bylaw 1.1.1, LCMS 2019 Handbook). Districts have been established to help the Synod “achieve its objectives and carry on its activities” (Bylaw 4.1.1). In short, “a district is the Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.1.1.1).

Learn more about the places where the MN South District has been “Synod in this place"—a history of the development of the Minnesota South District office.

 
 
 

our mission

Cultivating leaders intentionally engaged in the mission of God.

Our Promise to Those We serve

Rooted in the Scriptures and growing in a relationship of mutual trust and Christian love, we promise to equip, support, and encourage you in your ministries, joyfully serving together in making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Objective

Love the Lord; Love people; Love our Lutheran theology.

 

By the numbers

 
 

232

Churches

From urban to rural, the MN South District congregations faithfully seek to engage in Word and Sacrament ministry.

79

Schools & Centers

Each of our Lutheran schools and early childhood centers engages the minds and hearts of their students.

101K+

Baptized members

The church family of the MN South District is as diverse as our communities.

 

Locator tools

 

 

RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE

Click on any link to take you to that portion of the page

 

From Minneapolis

  • Take 35W to Burnsville.

  • Take Exit 1, which is County Road 42.

  • Turn left (east) on County Road 42.  Continue through two stoplights until you pass under the 35E bridge and come to a third stoplight (exit ramp for 35E).

  • Go to the very next street, which is Grand Avenue (frontage road for 35E); turn right then make an immediate left (you will see our brown brick building).

  • Turn right into our upper lot; this is the main entrance.

From St. Paul

  • Take 35E south to Burnsville.

  • Take Exit 88B, which is County Road 42.

  • Turn left (east) onto County Road 42 and go under 35E.  You will come to a stoplight (exit ramp for 35E).

  • Go to the very next street which is Grand Avenue (frontage road for 35E) and turn right; then make an immediate left (you will see our brown brick building).

  • Turn right into our upper lot; this is the main entrance. 

 
 

From the South

  • Take 35 north to 35E north to Burnsville. 

  • Exit on County Road 42.

  • Go east on County Road 42 (right) to the very next street, which is Grand Avenue South (frontage road for 35E). 

  • Turn right onto Grand Avenue, and then an immediate left (you will see our brown brick building).

  • Turn right into our upper lot; this is the main entrance.

If you miss Grand Avenue you will come to Plymouth Avenue. Turn right onto Plymouth Avenue and then right again into the parking lot of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School.  Proceed slowly through the parking lot of Good Shepherd until you come to our brown brick office building and park in the upper lot. When school is in session (8:15 am – 3:00 pm), please use the instructions below.

When Good Shepherd School is in Session
(8 am - 3 pm)

After turning on Plymouth Avenue, go past Good Shepherd’s parking lot. Continue on Plymouth Ave/145th Street, going around the back of Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Turn right on Grand Avenue South and right again after Havenwood Senior Living to enter our parking lot.

To leave, you will need to go back the same way when the traffic cones are in place. Otherwise, you can proceed slowly through Good Shepherd’s parking lot.

 

 
 
 

LCMS church, school, & worker locator tool

The LCMS locator tool lets you search for any LCMS church, school, or worker across the entire Synod.

 
 
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Our mission, promise, & initiatives

Mission: Cultivating leaders intentionally engaged in the mission of God

Promise: Rooted in the Scriptures and growing in a relationship of mutual trust and Christian love, we promise to equip, support, and encourage you in your ministries, joyfully serving together to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

2022-2025 initiatives: Raise participation in wellness resources by at least 350 parish church workers; produce leadership training videos for parish church workers and lay leadership; actively recruit servant leaders for our churches and schools; and promote and incentivize mission and ministry partnerships in every circuit.