History
LWML History
"There's no question the church is behind you because in so many ways you are ahead of the church." With those words, a Lutheran historian applauded the progress of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) since its founding in 1942. Its roots, however, go back nearly a century earlier.
Beginning in the 1850s, women of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) www.lcms.org started local auxiliaries to meet the needs of people—mending clothes for seminarians, equipping hospitals, establishing schools, developing convalescent and retirement homes, assisting orphanages and residences for people with disabilities, gathering clothing, furniture and food for indigents, and funding mission endeavors at home and abroad.
Not until the 1920s, however, did members of congregational societies begin to coordinate their efforts by uniting in state and regional leagues. Oklahoma was first in 1928, but it took more than a decade before official approval was granted for a national LCMS women's organization.
Written by Marlys Taege Moberg
In response to resolutions from two district groups, the 1938 LCMS convention established a committee to study “the problem” (of establishing a synodwide women’s organization). The committee’s 1941 report was favorable, and the Synod not only approved, but encouraged the creation of a general organization of women. Five pastors were appointed to arrange a meeting of representatives from interested districts.
At that meeting, held July 7–8, 1942, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League was founded by delegates from 15 districts. Today it is active in every district of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LWML has set a pattern for similar organizations in other countries where there are LCMS partner churches.
View printable PDF of this article LWML History
LWML History Books
Women on a Mission (24 MB) The role of women in the church from Bible times up to and including a history of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League during its first 25 years. Published 1967.
WINGS — Women IN God's Service (46 MB) LWML in its first 50 years. 50th Anniversary History. Published 1991.
Women in League with the Lord (23 MB) The Story of Lutheran Women in Mission and Their Christian Predecessors. Published 2005.
New History Book! Dedicated — Women Grounded in God's Word, Growing in God's Mission. Published 2019. Order a copy here.
