They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42-46

Biblical. Ancient. Eternal.

Who is St. Martin’s Lutheran Mission?

St. Martin’s is a Confessional, Orthodox, Lutheran Mission, belonging to the Independent Lutheran Diocese. The mission was formed by The Reverend Adam Linder, to offer word and sacrament to the faithful in the local community of Mendota IL. St. Martin’s is radically committed to preaching and teaching the faith of the Apostles, serving our local community, and being a hospital for the weary and tired sinner.

We would love to have you join us for our Sunday Morning for Divine Service, or for our Catechetical Classes that take place every other Tuesday!

Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass; for the Mass is retained among us, and celebrated with the highest reverence.

-Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV

Divine Service: Sunday, 12:00pm.

"Being Lutheran” Classes: Dates/ Times TBA.

Private Confession: Available By Request.

Your Questions, Answered

Who is the Independent Lutheran Diocese?

The Independent Lutheran Diocese (ILD) is a body of confessional, orthodox Lutherans... We preach Christ crucified, and administer His sacraments.

For more information, please visit https://www.ild.one/about/

“Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi” means, the law of praying, is the law of believing… We firmly believe that how you practice your faith, is a testimony of what your faith truly is. Because of this, we strive to worship with the utmost reverence, out of thankfulness to The God who has won eternal life for us. We follow the Common Service found in the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal… this service order might also be familiar to you as Divine Service Setting 3 in the Lutheran Service Book.

If you’ve never experienced a liturgical service before, don’t worry! You’re welcome to participate as much, or as little as you feel comfortable… Bulletins are provided to help you follow along. Simply relax, observe, and afterwards, please ask questions!

What is Service like?

Don’t stress yourself out too much on what to wear. There is no strict dress code. Rather, we encourage you to simply remember what you are attending… The Divine Service is where we go to meet the King to receive the gifts that He has given His church. We would simply encourage you to dress, knowing that you are going to meet this King. That said, this very king encourages His people to come as they are, so you don’t need to feel as if you’re in sin by showing up in anything less that a freshly dry cleaned tuxedo or ballroom gown… Below is Rev. Adam’s cheat sheet for church attire.

Guys: Polo and Khakis.

Ladies: Whatever the female equivalent to a Polo and Khakis is.

This way, if you’re underdressed or overdressed compared to others, it isn’t too drastic.

How should I dress?

The Holy Scriptures, in 1 Corinthians, teach us that self examination is necessary before someone can partake of The Lord’s Supper (also known as Holy Communion, or The Eucharist). It is also necessary to “discern the body” to receive the sacrament. The reader is warned that failure to do these things, has resulted in sickness and death. Of course, we do not see people dropping dead at the altar in these days, but that does not make this discernment any less necessary… Therefore, the ILD, and therefore, St. Martin’s, believes this regarding who may partake of The Lord’s Supper at our altars…

The Lord's Table is open to those who fully agree with the following statements: I confess that I am a sinner in need of God's forgiveness, and I repent… I believe in the Holy Trinity and that Jesus Christ is my only Savior from sin, death and the power of Satan, and is also Lord of my life… I believe that Christ is really present in the Sacrament, and that with the bread and wine, I receive His true Body and Blood… I resolve to dedicate my life to my Lord and Savior in His Body, the Holy Christian Church, by regular worship and devoted Christian service and living.

If you are not currently at a place that you can affirm these statements, please don’t feel excluded! We still encourage you to join us for worship, and during the service of the sacrament, you can still approach the altar for a blessing… You are also welcome to remain in your seat, whatever makes you comfortable. We do not take joy in fencing the table from anyone, and it is our earnest prayer that all mankind can come together and commune around the same altars… We simply want to be obedient to the warnings given to us in Holy Scripture, and we do not want to put our guests in a position to partake of something that has such warnings attached to it, unless they can affirm that which scripture requires of them. This is out of love, not sectarianism.

Do I need to be a member of the Independent Lutheran Diocese to receive communion?

Confession and Absolution is one of God’s beautiful gifts to His Church… His church is given the Office of The Keys, to remit and retain sin (John 20:22-23)… So in confessing your sins, you can know that upon a genuine confession, from a repentant heart, that you are indeed forgiven… This is precisely what confession and absolution is for… The Office of The Holy Ministry is uniquely tasked with exercising these keys on behalf of The Church, so when you sit down with the pastor, he exercises these keys by virtue of his office, and truly, undoubtedly forgives you your sins, on Christ’s authority. Not only that, but it is a wonderful opportunity to speak with the pastor abut the sins that burden you, and that you can’t seem to shake… This helps the pastor get to know you better, so that he can be more equipped to help guide you through your struggles and trials.

Simply reach out to Rev. Adam to set up a day/ time to meet for confession.

How does private confession work?

Why not attend other Lutheran Churches?

We rejoice when people find themselves as members of faith Lutheran congregations, whether it is in the Independent Lutheran Diocese, or other Orthodox Lutheran Synods such as the LCMS, WELS, ELS, or CLC. Though there will be slight differences in issues of fellowship/ ecclesiology between us, we also understand the geography and availability is often a hindrance to joining certain Synods.

In our area, in Mendota IL, there is a lack of any faithful Lutheran churches for a considerable distance, which is why we chose Mendota as our planting point. We do not want to seem as if we feel someone is in sin if they attend a church in one of the Synods mentioned before, we simply seek to provide the same thing that they do, to an underserved community. Word and Sacrament, rightly taught and administered.

Simply put, a Lutheran is a Christian who subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions found in the Book of Concord, believing that these documents accurately, and honestly teach the right interpretation and understanding of The Holy Scriptures. We profess that the ancient ecumenical creeds (these being the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds) are true, faithful articulations of the Christian faith.

There are many groups who call themselves “Lutheran” but fail to live up to that name. These groups often deny the inerrancy of The Bible, and the clear teachings contained in Holy Scripture..

Our Pastor, Rev. Adam, has given a lecture answering this exact question. It can be viewed here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrjko7tp9ME&t=1480s

What is a Lutheran?

One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic…

Rev. Adam regularly offers classes and lectures on theology, and history. You can find recordings of his various lectures and classes on The St. Martin’s YouTube channel.

These classes focus on teaching and demonstrating the truths of the Lutheran Confessions, rooting them in Holy Scripture, Church History, and Theological Consistency.

Our Pastor

The Rev. Adam Linder

Pastor

Our Bishop

The Rev. Dr. Kevin Lowe

Regional Bishop

Our Presiding Bishop

The Rev. Dr. Robbie Osmundson

Presiding Diocesan Bishop

Let’s Talk!