Another Lutheran church question?

Question

Went to the Lutheran church because it was so close to home. Did not particularly "think" about it being Lutheran because I didn't know the difference- had no real religious upbringing. Enjoyed the service and people. Upon reading about the faith, I'm concerned that it may be too much for me. I hadn't planned on picking a denomination per se, and Lutheran seems as "serious" as becoming a Catholic.
Any suggestions, input or opinions?

I don't mean not taking the church seriously, I mean I've been to other churches where it's upbeat and uplifting, rather than formal and heavy

Answer 1

Divine service is a serious service.... it's an ongoing conversation with God, a give and take. Everything we do and say in the service is scripturally based and plays an important part. Because we do believe in real presence in the word, the water, and at Holy Communion it does have a different feel than those churches who believe they are all just symbols.
There are some contemporary services available at some churches, but not so much in the LCMS. Also, once you really start reading the words of the liturgy and understanding their meanings they are uplifting and joyful.
It will all come with time and understanding! Please don't give up on Lutheranism... it can be heavy, but if you read through the small catechism it's all explained. Talk to the elders, the pastor, other ladies in the church.... everyone will be more than willing to help answer your questions.
And you don't have to pick a denomination right now... just continue to attend worship service and grow in your faith. The Holy Spirit will let you know when the time is right for you!

Answer 2

What do you mean by "serious"?

Lutherans are only slightly removed from Catholics because the Lutheran movement was one of the first protestant movements that tried to straighten out problems in the Roman Catholic church. If you mean Lutheran services have a lot of similarities to Catholic services, you are right. But there are also churches that have contemporary services that are not nearly as traditional.

I just had an idea, if you meant "gloomy" or "not cheerful" when you said serious, then you are in the wrong Lutheran congregation. Some are very gloomy and depressed. Others are very upbeat and light. Find a different one.

Answer 3

Yes, we Lutherans tend to take joining our church very seriously compared to most Protestants. This is because we believe that the Bible is not open to personal interpretation, but rather is interpreted by the Church in our historic confessions. Therefore, it's vitally important that you understand what we believe, and that you know exactly why you're becoming a Lutheran.

You do well to compare us to Catholics in that sense, because we have that in common with the Catholic Church. It is through the Church that the Gospel has been handed down to us, and it is through the Church that the Gospel is understood.

However, don't be scared away. Talk to the pastor about it--he doesn't bite. ;-)

Answer 4

I'm Lutheran, and i know what you mean.

A lot of Lutheran churches have a "connections" or a "casual" service that are a lot less formal than traditional service.

I admit, Lutheran churches are formal, but serious they are not. The whole idea is that we're more free to ideals then you ever are in the catholic church. I'm not bashing the catholics or anything, but you get more freedom in Lutheran churches.

God bless.

Answer 5

Dear Sabine:
I am happy for you that although you had no Christian upbringing, you sensed that "thingamajig" to go to a church and take part in a liturgy, in this case a Lutheran one.

Some would use such criteria as "I like it", "I feel good", "it's near my place", "it fits my lifestyle", "it does not seem to clash with my personal beliefs", etc., in choosing which Christian church to belong to.

There's a better one, and one I think, should be the ultimate basis of choosing a church. It is this: the truth. I am glad for you that somehow you feel the stirrings of Christ as if he is calling you to see how much he loves you. He is asking you to repay love with love. St. Augustine once wrote: "Our hearts are restless unless they rest in you" (referring to Christ).

To find out what the truth is, I suggest that first, you pray. Ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to show you the way. Perhaps in the course of a day, you can repeat that prayer many times.

Then you'll have to study. I know studying for most people out of high school or college isn't exactly their cup of tea anymore. But I think it boils down to that. Try in your extra time to consult with priests or pastors, if you are not the reading type. I know it will cost you time and effort. But look beyond: surely, this is nothing compared to the joy of loving Christ for its own sake, and the promise of eternal happiness in the life beyond.

I admit I am Catholic. It is a serious thing - you are quite right - to be one. But it is less about "do's and don'ts" than about the love that I try to show by being consistent in what I believe in. If you study, then you will know what I mean. I found my happiness in the Catholic Church, and I feel blessed being in the company of saints like Theresa, John Bosco, Damien de Veuster, Teresa of Calcutta, and many martyrs of old.

I suggest you keep an open mind, be careful about the biases and prejudices of others, very often based on ignorance and outright falsehoods. Try discerning the truth, be not afraid to ask questions. I pray that you will find the right choice.

May the Holy Spirit inspire you and fortify you.

Answer 6

What type of Lutheran was it? ELCAor LC-MS?

Study what a church believes before joining(check out the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Small Catechism)
Talk to the pastor
Go to services a number of times
Talk to members about why they choose the Lutheran over other Christian forms

Answer 7

It is not so important that you join A church but that you join THE CHURCH. That you get to know God. Knowing Jesus is life eternal. Joining a church won't necessarily get you saved, although it usually manifests one's commitment. You sound like you want to stay on the fringes. Be careful you are not just being lukewarm, because that can become very difficult.
I would ask God where He wanted me to go. See if He answers. Then you'll know for certain. There are many good churches in the world, and many very cold and some dead too. Choose wisely.
A less formal church will let you come and go with very little initial commitment. They will however try to get you set for eterity with Jesus.

Answer 8

My input is - if you enjoyed the service and people then your reading and your experience are at odds with each other.

I think you have to go with your experience on this one.

But feel free to go to other churches, I'm quite certain the lutherans aren't going to shun you for it.

also, as regards Lutheran source material:
Keep in mind that they DID have to fight a war(actually several) in order to be able to have their freedom to worship form the catholic church. It could be why so much of it sounds very serious - at the time, it was.

Answer 9

I was raised Lutheran. Most Lutherans were rasied Lutheran and did not think about whether or not to join it.

When I was 19 years old I had the opportunity to read the Bible cover to cover and in fact read the Old Testament once and the New Testment six times thru.

Then I asked my Lutheran pastor about the various things Lutherans did which were NOT in the Bible, such as baptize babies.

The answer I was given was "Tradition".

So Lutherans today do not believe in Martin Luther's cardinal doctrine which is "Sola Scriptura!"

And that's the day I left the Lutheran church to find a church where the people really believed and really followed the Bible.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

Dear Sabine,

As for all true believers in Christ, the fate of ones immortal soul is a serious thing given the two choices of Heaven and Hell. Us confessional Lutherans and our Catholic brothers and sisters tend to show much concern for all mankind, and want to ensure as much as is possible that everyone understands what God's grace is all about.

Again, as I suggested in an answer in your first Question, talk to the Pastor, and attend the adult courses and learn what wonderful promises that Scripture holds for us, and how easy it is to receive what Scripture promises.

Don't worry, if you take the class and decide that you don't want to join, no problem.

Rommel, in his answer suggests praying and asking for guidance of the Holy Spirit. Probably one of the best answers that you received.

I believe that since you felt the urge to walk through the door, and have had such a positive experience the Holy Spirit has probably already started the working of his gift of Faith within you (even without baptism). The Holy Spirit has already opened the door, now all you have to do is let the Holy Spirit continue to lead you on your spiritual journey toward your eternal reward!

Pray:

Lord, send to us your Holy Spirit to increase in us true knowledge of Thee and of Thy will, and true obedience to Thy word, so that we may delight Thee, to the glory of thy Holy Name. Amen

Mark

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Pastor Art,
I'm not trying to be inflammatory but I am sorry that you have such difficulty with literal interpretation of Scripture. With regard to infant baptism, the Bible tells us that we are to "baptize all nations" not "only adults of all nations". Also the Bible tells of "whole households" being baptized. There are many other quotes from scripture, particularly in the Small Catechism that are probably worth your reviewing.

Mark