This list is solely for dioceses of those Lutheran churches which have retained, or established, episcopal polity.
In addition to the dioceses listed below there is also a "Military Bishopric", although the Ordinary is not required to be in Bishop's Orders, and may be a senior priest.
It is headed by its own bishop, but is not recognised by the ELCF, the Finnish Government, or the Lutheran World Federation.
An autonomous church formed as a single diocese, and operating worldwide.
Changes in 2012 and 2016 have given the church increased autonomy from the state, although it remains partially state-funded.
Established in 2012 from unions of several older denominations, and also part of the VELKD, but consisting of multiple internal dioceses.
There are currently two Bishops of Mecklenburg and Pomerania (located respectively at Greifswald and Schwerin), but this is a temporary arrangement following mergers of denominations.
[9] A group of Indian bishoprics with very different origins and founders, which retain their autonomy, but have united into a single denomination.
[10] The ephorus of HKBP is the bishop and primate of the church, elected for a period of four years.
The Bishop's seat is located at Zion Cathedral, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
Namibia's three Lutheran denominations have a long history of co-operation together, and in 2007 formed the United Church Council as a parent body, within which they are working towards full visible unity as a single church.
The Archbishop is not part of a formally constituted diocese, although he holds jurisdiction over a national arch-cathedral in Numan, which is also the location of the church's administrative headquarters.
The largest Lutheran church in southern Africa is headed by a Presiding Bishop.