The synods of the Lutheran Church represent different regions of the country. Each synod may have different doctrines, as well.
One. The basis for doctrine is the same in all Lutheran jurisdictions an "synods." Some issues of difference arise amongst them along lines of "liberal" and "conservative" interpretations and applications of Biblical studies and of the Lutheran symbolical writings. In Australia, as in the US, there is just one Synod. However, there are a few scattered "breakaway" Lutheran churches whose differences exclude them from the common synod. Prior to 1966, there were two distinct synods in Australia.
There is really only one type. There are, however, many different "synods," dioceses or jurisdictions. In many European countries, the Lutheran Church is the state church only divided by political-geographical boundary and language. For example, the Church of Norway has different bishops and dioceses than the Church of Sweden while both are Lutheran Churches with the same basic principles. In the U.S., there are three major synods, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Each started as a separate immigrant Church only divided by language. The three Churches follow the same basic beliefs and practices while they remain separate due to minor theological and polity issues along conservative/liberal lines and of interpretation of the Bible and Lutheran Symbolical writings.
There are many Lutheran girls who are members of Girl Scouts. In fact, there is a National Lutheran Association on Scouting which supports scouting in both Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) churches. It also supports the earning of the PRAY religious emblems. However, there are some Lutheran Synods which do not allow girls to join Girl Scouts. One of the reasons is that they do not allow public prayer, so if they were part of a Girl Scout troop, the girls would not be allowed to pray with other Girl Scouts.
Yes, the Lutheran Church did originate from the teachings of the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther. The Lutheran Church has many synods, or branches, with each differing slightly in belief. It is important to note that the Lutheran Church today may differ from some of Martin Luther's ideals, as he was one of many reformers or renewers of the Church. Martin Luther had concerns with the immoral practices occurring in the Roman Catholic Church during his time. Today the Roman Catholic Church has abandoned many of those practices.
No US presidents so far have been Lutherans.
In most juristictions and synods, they may. In some small Lutheran synods, bishops may not, while priests/pastors and deacons/deaconesses may. Lutheran clergy who are not married are bound to celibacy. Those who believe they have the gift of celibacy, sometimes take a vow of celibacy to devote their entire life to evangelism and charitable work. This is most common in deaconess communites and amongst Lutheran monastics.
The Lutheran Hymnal has 858 pages.
Excluding nonmembers from communion is not a policy of the Lutheran church as a whole. Rather, it may be the policy of a specific church or of a particular denomination. Unlike Catholicism, the Lutheran church does not have one central body. Instead, it is composed of a number of different divisions. In the US, there are three primary groups: the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod (LCMS or just Missouri Synod), and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS or Wisconsin Synod). Each group has its own policy on communion. Missouri and Wisconsin Synods both practice closed communion; only members can take communion. The ELCA, however, practices open communion, where anyone can. Of course, individual churches may choose to follow a different procedure from that of the denomination to which they belong, so it is possible for an ELCA church to have closed communion.
Lutheran Service Book has 1024 pages.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship has 1211 pages.
Attended Lutheran school until the 6th grade. His parents were German and many Germans who immigrated to America were Lutheran. Yes.