Learning about Lutheranism

[MaryEmily]

Hi there. New here, new to LCMS. I was/am a dissaffected Christian who started a search for a denomination that still followed the bible. Never dreamed it would have been an issue. Along the way I learned that theology was very important. Without a sound theological basis - you flounder.

I listed to a podcast called Fighting for the Faith that is a show where the guy dissects sermons from all over. Turns out he's Lutheran and a lot of the things he said made so much sense I decided to investigate. I got deeper and deeper and with each layer I like it.

I downloaded all these podcasts from Concordia on theology, dogmatics, the confessions, history of the church. I listened to them driving back and forth from work, at lunch, working in the yard. Then, I purchased Pieper's Christian Dogmatics (rough set to plow through!), the Lutheran Study Bible, Small and Large Cat., Book of Concord, Lutheranism 101 plus a few smaller titles. Read and studied all those. I'm sold on it.

So, now to find a church. Picked one out of the blue and turned out my co-worker attends there. The people weren't outgoing at all. He was the only one to speak to me. I had been in email contact with the pastor for a few weeks previous, but he didn't do much other than shake my hand. It wasn't all that great. So, I got on the internet again and found another one down the road that had sermons available to download. I listened to 5 or 6 and they were really good. The pastor sounds knowlegeable and good.

Is this a good way to do it? I hate church shopping. I started this quest asking pastors of other denominations did they even believe that Jesus was the literal Son of God or that he existed. Believe it or not, some don't. I was shocked at that one. For a while, I thought I was relegated home study forever.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as to what to look for, watch out for etc...

Thanks!!

 

[Studeclunker]

You might find New Reformation Press interesting. It's here:
New Reformation Press

I enjoy listening to Rod Rosenbladt. He always gives me a lot to think about.

Yeah, church shopping is a pain. However keep in mind that Lutherans have a tendency to be a bit cold. I think it's a German culture thing. A pity, but there you have it. Just keep looking and give the Lord a chance to lead you. The right congregation will come along. You might also, if LCMS doesn't work out, want to look into WELS. They are a bit more conservative than LCMS. In fact, they're about the most conservative Lutheran denomination.

Oh gosh, how embarrassing, I forgot; WELCOME!!

 

[JM]

(Confessional) Lutherans are awesome. I've learned more from Luther then I have from Calvin.

 

[Aibrean]

You are allowed to visit churches. We changed our LCMS church after a year or so of going. Even though we were involved it didn't feel right. We are a lot happier where we are now. It's LCMS but the services are completely different. The old one was traditional but not completely liturgical. The new one uses the red LSB and the divine service settings. I also like the pastor.

 

[DaRev]

Hi there. New here, new to LCMS. I was/am a dissaffected Christian who started a search for a denomination that still followed the bible. Never dreamed it would have been an issue. Along the way I learned that theology was very important. Without a sound theological basis - you flounder.

I listed to a podcast called Fighting for the Faith that is a show where the guy dissects sermons from all over. Turns out he's Lutheran and a lot of the things he said made so much sense I decided to investigate. I got deeper and deeper and with each layer I like it.

I downloaded all these podcasts from Concordia on theology, dogmatics, the confessions, history of the church. I listened to them driving back and forth from work, at lunch, working in the yard. Then, I purchased Pieper's Christian Dogmatics (rough set to plow through!), the Lutheran Study Bible, Small and Large Cat., Book of Concord, Lutheranism 101 plus a few smaller titles. Read and studied all those. I'm sold on it.

So, now to find a church. Picked one out of the blue and turned out my co-worker attends there. The people weren't outgoing at all. He was the only one to speak to me. I had been in email contact with the pastor for a few weeks previous, but he didn't do much other than shake my hand. It wasn't all that great. So, I got on the internet again and found another one down the road that had sermons available to download. I listened to 5 or 6 and they were really good. The pastor sounds knowlegeable and good.

Is this a good way to do it? I hate church shopping. I started this quest asking pastors of other denominations did they even believe that Jesus was the literal Son of God or that he existed. Believe it or not, some don't. I was shocked at that one. For a while, I thought I was relegated home study forever.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as to what to look for, watch out for etc...

Thanks!!

If you were to PM me the city you live in or near, I could perhaps direct you to a church to look into.

 

[MaryEmily]

Thank you for the replies. I am in St. Louis (not high enough post count to PM).

I wasn't sure how to go about it other than sitting in different services and get a feel for both the congregations and leadership. Just feels weird to be doing it.

Are all of you born into the Lutheran faith or did you convert? Just curious.

 

[alexnbethmom]

Thank you for the replies. I am in St. Louis (not high enough post count to PM).

I wasn't sure how to go about it other than sitting in different services and get a feel for both the congregations and leadership. Just feels weird to be doing it.

Are all of you born into the Lutheran faith or did you convert? Just curious.

honestly, that's how i would have done it....i think you're going about things in a pretty good way actually.....

i'm LCMS - adult convert - baptized catholic, former agnostic....

 

[Tangible]

I was a Baptist for 40+ years. Now my local LCMS church isn't quite Lutheran enough for me.

 

[QuiltAngel]

Welcome Mary
I was not Lutheran growing up. Presbyterian, then one of the Synods that merged to become ELCA and came to the LCMS when I married.

 

[Aibrean]

Convert. Raised Brethren and attended a C&MA church for probably about 10 years after that.

 

[MaryEmily]

What attracted you to the Lutheran church?

I was Presbyterian as a kid and joined the Baptist church - stopped going for a long time. Decided I needed God (well, it dawned on me finally). I studied the early reformers and briefly attended a reformed Baptist church. It wasn't until I studied Luther and even earlier that I began to understand what the difference was. Coming into it, all I knew was Arminianism and Calvinism.

It's been a fun journey though. I'm learning a lot along the way.

 

[QuiltAngel]

What attracted you to the Lutheran church?

I was Presbyterian as a kid and joined the Baptist church - stopped going for a long time. Decided I needed God (well, it dawned on me finally). I studied the early reformers and briefly attended a reformed Baptist church. It wasn't until I studied Luther and even earlier that I began to understand what the difference was. Coming into it, all I knew was Arminianism and Calvinism.

It's been a fun journey though. I'm learning a lot along the way.

My grandparents were Lutheran and I really liked the way they did and viewed communion. When I was in high school, my parents decided to leave the Presbyterian Church and went to the Lutheran Church, there, I learned more about Lutheranism. I met my husband who was LCMS and I knew that he was applying to Seminary. I am so glad that I did end up in the LCMS with the merger and other things since then with regard to the ELCA.

 

[Studeclunker]

Lutheran till I was ten, wandered off when my parents quit, attended an RCA occasionally, then Baptist for a while, then Calvary Chapel for six years, ran screaming in terror back to the Lutheran Church! LOL, just kidding about the screaming in terror bit... sort of...

 

[DaRev]

Thank you for the replies. I am in St. Louis (not high enough post count to PM).

I wasn't sure how to go about it other than sitting in different services and get a feel for both the congregations and leadership. Just feels weird to be doing it.

Check this link for some possible churches to visit in the St. Louis area.
ELLC - Search for a Liturgical Church

Are all of you born into the Lutheran faith or did you convert? Just curious.

I was born and raised Roman Catholic, but I'm all better now.

 

[goldbeach]

Lutheran, in name only, most of my life untill the last few years.

 

[Tangible]

What attracted you to the Lutheran church?

More than you ever really wanted to know here: My journey from Baptist to Confessional Lutheran - Christian Forums

 

[LilLamb219]

So, now to find a church. Picked one out of the blue and turned out my co-worker attends there. The people weren't outgoing at all. He was the only one to speak to me. I had been in email contact with the pastor for a few weeks previous, but he didn't do much other than shake my hand. It wasn't all that great.

I'm wondering what more you expected out of your visit?

 

[MaryEmily]

The difference between say a Baptist church and Lutheran church; it's a lot more "quiet". That will take some getting used to. I've discovered that the Lord speaks through His Word, not in all the emotional upheaval you get from singing endless praise songs accompanied by the Rolling Stones altar (pun intended) ego.

I will visit a couple more and decide which one fits best. There are two basically - the one I went to first. That one, I'm told is one of the most conservative LCMS churches in St. Louis. Then the one I will visit this weekend. We're expecting a snowstorm Friday so I hope we can make it out to the candlelight service Friday evening.

It's just a mind shift for me. Truly. Intellectually, I know this is the way I need to go. Emotionally, I have to let go of the circus atmosphere I got used to in the mainstream evangelical church. Not that I liked it when I was there. It seemed like we were propelling ourselves up to God by our own actions rather than having God meet us here. I hope that makes sense.

I found some great resources on the web explaining how the service works and why it works. Why all those liturgical nuances are important. The more I mulled over it, the more comfortable I got in how to approach the Lord and also to be receptive to His blessings.

 

[MaryEmily]

Tangible, that was great. That's where I am. Coming out of a Baptist/Reformed mindset. I began studying Grudem's Theology and had doubts and questions about some very basic things. I looked at different denominations and for some reason thought to myself, "I never studied about Luther and the reformation...only Calvin." That began the most intense period of studying and soul searching I've done in a long time.

I ran to the CPH bookstore during lunch breaks at work to pick up something else or ordered books off of Amazon. The more I read, the less I found wrong with the theology and the more answers were satisfied. I've decided to join the church, just to find a home church for me.

I talked to my husband about it many times and explained who and what Luther was and did. He's not enthusiastic, but he's not "religious" either. He was brought up Methodist and never really attended church with me for the most part. I did get him to go to one charismatic church down by our property but they were close to hanging off the chandeliers and I said enough. I thought any church would be good, but that was a bridge too far.

 

[Studeclunker]

I was born and raised Roman Catholic, but I'm all better now.

LOL, there's a game out called (something like): I survived Catholic School, It's hilarious even if you didn't. I'd bet you'd be a whizz at it, Revrand.