Synods

[CSMR]

Anywhere I can go for info on synods? I'm thinking of going to a Lutheran church. I'm Lutheran theologically but I don't know how the church is organised. Do the various synods have different doctrinal positions and different forms and styles of church services? Thanks a lot!

[Phoebe]

www.elca.org (http://www.elca.org)
www.lcms.org (http://www.lcms.org)
www.wels.org (http://www.wels.org)

[Phoebe]

The ELCA is considered the most liberal of the synods. We ordain women and have open communion.

[ByzantineDixie]

Anywhere I can go for info on synods? I'm thinking of going to a Lutheran church. I'm Lutheran theologically but I don't know how the church is organised. Do the various synods have different doctrinal positions and different forms and styles of church services? Thanks a lot!Welcome CSMR!!! :wave:

Wow...I don't know much about the Lutheran church in the UK but I see from your profile that you are studying in the US so I can offer some info about some of the synods here.

Phoebe identified the 3 main synods...ELCA, LCMS and WELS (and there is a very small synod in fellowship with WELS, called ELS). She is correct in that of the three, ELCA is considered more liberal. There are several threads in this forum that compare ELCA with the others. I warn you...some of what you read will not be very flattering as the synods are not in agreement with each other and each side has a reason for support their point of view.

The differences between LCMS and WELS/ELS do not appear so major BUT they are different enough to prevent altar and pulpit fellowship between the two. WELS has a different view of the Office of the Ministry and women are not permitted to vote or hold board positions or teach bible study to adult male. Someone else could better summarize the differences is WELS and LCMS.

I know the LCMS because that is the synod to which my church belongs. In the LCMS you will find a wide variety of worship styles depending on which church or even which service in the same church. Most of these styles will include some kind of adherence to the historical liturgy. The LCMS position (as well as the WELS/ELS position) is 'closed' communion. Only members of the synod should approach the table...but the position does allow for some discretion on the part of the pastor so some congregations / pastors use this out and do not maintain a strictly closed table. This is an issue of serious concern in the Synod. But it reflects the actual situation. The LCMS and WELS/ELS do not permit women pastors but do have other opportunities for women to serve.

WELS/ELS and LCMS both adhere to the Book of Concord as the true exposition of the Scriptures. ELCA holds a looser interpretation of the BoC.

Let's start here...and perhaps this will fuel some other questions? We LOVE to tell others about Lutheranism...so ask away! ;)

Peace

:) Rose

[CSMR]

Thanks for the info. Things are starting to become somewhat defined! Yes, I'm in the US now. I go to an Anglican church in England. There's quite a lot that's new in these synods! There's a LCMS nearby, which I will check out. The book of concord is very weighty - we Anglicans certainly have the advantage with only thirty-nine articles! I've started reading it, and I find much very satisfactory, although there are a few points so far that I don't think I take. (Athanasius saying you have to have perfect faith to be saved, literalism about eternal torment, denial of once-saved-always-saved in article 12 of the Augsburg confession, which I thought Luther argued for saying that the promise of God once given we cannot prevent?). At any rate, I'll try to get to a service on Sunday and see what it's like. Thanks for your help again.

[LuxPerpetua]

I don't know about the other synods' websites, but I do know that the LCMS website has a fab FAQ section that clarifies Lutheran beliefs a bit. I will warn you, though, Lutherans are comfortable with paradox, so that may take some prayer and getting used to if you are accustomed to everything being "rational." Best wishes, dear friend. :)

[filosofer]

BTW, the LCMS is in fellowship with a small Lutheran church body in England.