I visited a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod today.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

Despite some misgivings, I decided to attend the only Lutheran church we have in town (LCMS). To my surprise, I didn't find it to be as bad as I had expected. I talked to the pastor before the service and he assured me that politics and contemporary hot-button issues would never come up in his sermons (although LCMS officially takes conservative stances on most social issues). Of course, I was unable to take communion due to a closed altar policy. If I decide to join the church, I have to get confirmed before I can take communion.

Overall, I enjoyed the liturgy and hymns and the congregation seemed to be very friendly and likeable.

Next week, I plan to visit a Russian Orthodox Church and the week after that I will visit an episcopal church. Hopefully by then I will be able to make a decision regarding what church I want to settle down with.

[Critters2]

1. If you have questions about the LCMS, you should PM DUer JVS.

He's a good guy, and devoutly LCMS. He knows his tradition well, and could answer any questions you have.

Also, you should contact the Orthodox priest before you worship there. Orthodox services are very different from Western services of any tradition. Orthodox lay people do not feel compelled to be at worship exactly at the moment the service officially begins. There's often a portion of the service where only the priest and deacon are there, but some priests are really trying to get congregations to be at the full service. At communion, they will offer you bread which has not been consecrated, a kind of interesting compromise between the open table of most Protestant traditions, and closed communion. But make sure the priest knows you're there and not Orthodox. You'll find the experience interesting, and beautiful.

DU has a Catholic/Orthodox group. You may want to post any questions there.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

3. I actually made

the decision to visit LCMS partially because of JVS. There was a thread about religion in the lounge a few weeks ago and I saw that he went to that church and liked it.

The main thing I'm worried about with the Orthodox church is that I won't fit in culturally. I will call the priest there and see when services begin for the lay people.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. One thing about LCMS is that they take...

the church/state separation thing VERY seriously, so you won't get a lot of politicking there. I grew up LCMS and they were extremely conservative both theologically and socially, but were adamant that if the State ever got a foothold in the Church, it would soon enough start telling us what to believe and how to believe it. Thus, we were serious about the whole "render unto Ceasar" thing.

Now, before you get too involved with them, understand that they are still VERY conservative, and unlike ELCA Lutherans, haven't embraced Just War theory, come out against the death penalty, accepted the slightest possibility that Genesis is merely mythology, or agreed to Joint Communion with many, if any, other churches. (While ELCA agreed to Joint Communion with the Episcopal Church, Missouri Synod refused because the Episcopalians accept Apostolic Succession-- go figure on that one.)

They will not, however, ram much of this down your throat and threaten you with hellfire. You would have to get deeply into Luther's catechism to become a member, but then they're largely cool about it.

And they run some excellent grade and high schools. The math and science programs were first class when I went to Lutheran schools, even though we were told we wouldn't be taught the first two chapters of the biology text.

(We weren't forbidden to read them, though, and they didn't make a big deal out of why we weren't being taught them-- they just wouldn't teach evolution.)

[Celeborn Skywalker]

4. Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, that's kind of the vibe I got from the pastor, which is that although they are very conservative, the sermons will be centered around Christ and not around the social policies of the government.

Apparently, members of the LCMS are among the most well educated when it comes to the theology of their religion. I saw everything they have to learn to be a member and my mind was boggled.

[murielm99]

5. That's odd about the biology.

I was raised LCMS. I went to their schools on and off, and graduated from Valparaiso University. We were taught evolution at the university in my biology classes.

Yes, they are still very conservative. But I understood the traditions and respected them. No one gets through confirmation classes and parochial school without understanding them.

Their schools are excellent.

One thing about attending an LCMS university in the sixties was interesting. The church itself seemed to stay out of many of the social issues, but individual pastors were very involved in things like civil rights and peace issues.

I left the church in my twenties. It was too conservative for me. But occasional visits make me feel like I have come home.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

6. Update:

(Not that anyone gives a damn, lol).

I have decided to attend the Episcopal church in our town. I loved the Eastern Orthodox service but I felt very culturally out of place there. The LCMS is a tad too closed off for my taste and the Catholic Church here is very conservative.

The congregation at this Episcopalian church is friendly, the church building itself is beautiful, and the liturgy is wonderful. There were several gay couples in attendance so that shows me that the church is open and friendly. I hope to stay at this church for a long time.

[Critters2]

7. The ECUSA is good folks. Sounds like a good match! nt

[spoony]

8. Awesome!

I'm glad you've found a place you like. I hope it gives you many years of joy :)

[Celeborn Skywalker]

9. Thank you!

I hope so too. :-)

[Kajsa]

10. That's great news, CS.

I'm so glad you found a place where you feel comfortable.

:)