The architect of the American Lutheran Church was born in the year 1711 in Einbeck, Germany. Though he was the forgotten preacher of the First Great Awakening, he left an indelible mark on the Lutheran Church of the United States, establishing churches in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, in addition to creating a new liturgy that was essentially American in character.
Muhlenberg attended the university of Göttingen, where he experienced a spiritual awakening. This was further codified in the theological seminary in Halle, where he resolved to be a missionary in India. However, Muhlenberg answered a call to serve German immigrants in the American colonies.
Muhlenberg arrived in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1742, where he would do the majority of his ministry. He became acquainted with the other popular preachers of he time, including George Whitefield, with whom he would maintain friendly relations throughout his ministry.
Muhlenberg saw it as his duty to make the Lutheran Church in America fundamentally American; it could not simply be a copy of the European church. Thus he reformed the Liturgy to reflect American sensibilities, bringing together the disparate ethnicities that made up the Lutheran church (Germans, Swedes, Norwegians, etc.) into a cohesive whole. He even created a new form of Church government to accomplish this; the synod.
The synod claimed no legal power over local churches, and would only intervene if both sides of the dispute consented. He exercised no authority over local ministers, and would not ordain anyone to the pastorate without the full consent of the synod. This is the form of church polity still practiced by American Lutherans today.
Muhlenberg passed into eternity in 1787, leaving behind an incredible legacy. May we all be open to mission and conforming to God’s image.
LogoSophia Magazine 
Interesting. Thank you.
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