Along with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), the International Lutheran Laymen's League (Int'l LLL)/Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is currently recognized as an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC). The Church's auxiliary organizations extend the ministry and mission of the LCMS and LCC and play vital roles in helping them spread the Gospel message and win hearts for Christ.
As a recognized auxiliary, the Int'l LLL/LHM:
- Is national/international in scope and voluntary in membership and participation;
- Identifies itself with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod but is not a part of the Synod's constitutional structure;
- Operates with freedom and self-determination as a ministry and is independent of the LCMS in its organization and administration, in the establishment and evaluation of its own objectives, activities and programs, and in financial matters, while complying with the responsibilities outlined in the Synod's bylaws;
- Coordinates plans and programs with those of the LCMS through regular sharing and contact with representatives of those boards to which the Synod has assigned specific responsibilities (boards of the Synod will share with the auxiliaries in a similar manner);
- Is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) corporation;
- And has membership made up of persons who are baptized members of LCMS or LCC congregations or congregations of one of their partner church bodies.
Our Heritage: 1917-Present
The Int'l LLL/LHM receives no direct financial support from the budget of either the LCMS or the LCC and relies on gifts from its generous donors. It is currently recognized with the Best in America designation by the Independent Charities of America, one of only 2,000 charities nationwide to receive this honor.