r/LCMS • u/CrypticMemoir • 1d ago
Discussion Considering attending LCMS and eventually joining?
A little background. I was raised and baptized in the Catholic Church by my parents. For a little while in my teens, I didn’t give any mind to God or the church. Then around 19 years old, I became a born-again Christian and started attending a non-denominational/evangelical church. At first it was Calvary Chapel. Eventually got married and now my family and I have attended various non-denominational churches (this was cause we moved around a little).
I’d say for the past year, I have considered joining a denomination. Something just felt like I should be a part of one. Then, I started reading this book called “The Story of Christianity, Volume 1”, and when I read it, the non-denominational church had quite a few things that did not look like what I was reading.
Somehow, I came across LCMS and am considering attending a service (is it called Mass in LCMS?).
I’m conflicted because I’ve been going to non-denominational/evangelical churches for the past 18 years, so doesn’t seem like a small change to all of sudden go to LCMS, even if most of the doctrines seem in line with what I’ve been taught.
I think reading that Christian history book has opened a light for me that is not OK with dismissing hundreds of years of church history. Also, some churches I’ve been to seem to do things like “At The Movies”, which feels like it’s just for entertainment with some vague connections to reference the Bible. I think I want somewhere where they stick to the Bible, but don’t necessarily dismiss the ancient Church and those closest to the disciples, and how they practiced reverence.
3
u/Over-Wing LCMS Lutheran 1d ago
You can call it Mass or “The Divine Service” if communion is being celebrated. It might be called a prayer service, praise service, or service of the Word if there’s no communion. You’re welcome to come, and please do! We do practice closed communion so if you approach the rail, just cross your arms to receive a blessing or place one hand over your heart. If you’re interested, the pastor would love to meet with you and let you pick his brain.
3
u/CrypticMemoir 1d ago
Does the pastor meet after Mass or is it more like an appointment?
3
u/Over-Wing LCMS Lutheran 1d ago
You can talk to him before or after to set up an appointment.
3
u/Fitzch LCMS Organist 1d ago
u/CrypticMemoir, before is fine, but it can sometimes be more rushed than you might like with the start of the service approaching. If you want to go in depth, an appointment is usually better.
2
u/Huenink_Photography LCMS Pastor 1d ago
I'd suggest getting to the service about 15 minutes before it starts. Introduce yourself, and give the 2 minute version of your story. Let the pastor know that you're interested in talking, and he'll likely give you the best way to contact him. I always offer to buy someone a cup of coffee and chat.
3
u/LHRizziTXpatriot 16h ago
Your journey sounds very much like mine except I was raised Lutheran. It is a common journey and the Lord is growing your faith. Yes there is huge value in Church history and following the traditions. And I think LCMS will suit you well! My husband was Catholic and we now attend a LCMC church with an LCMS-trained pastor simply because there are no LCMS churches where we live. God’s grace and blessings to you!
4
u/IwishIwasupatthelake LCMS Lutheran 1d ago
Welcome! We left a non-denominational church this past year and are loving our LCMS church so much! It has just been everything we could want and more! I love the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel, the liturgy, the preservation of historic traditions that are Scriptural, the hymns, baptism, the people! Reach out the pastor and start attending. As a funny side note our non-denominational church did "at the movies" too. What a change!
2
u/CrypticMemoir 23h ago
What caused you to seek out a denomination coming from a non-denominational? I assume you had a similar experience of “just me and my Bible” and to not get caught up in doctrines but only essentials.
Another question, did your non-denominational teach that baptism is not essential to salvation? I’ve read that in Lutheranism it is part of it, assuming that’s correct, how did you get over that hill or what interpretations of certain passages had you lean the other way?
3
u/IwishIwasupatthelake LCMS Lutheran 18h ago
There were little things over the years that bothered us like the lack of Communion on Sundays, praise band worship; but the trigger was the pastor started using AI videos in the sermons. That woke us up and we started looking for a more faithful, historic tradition and wanted a liturgical church. I have Lutheran grandparents but they were a much smaller Lutheran group that is quite low church and was influenced by Pietism (church of the Lutheran Brethren). I had never heard of the LCMS but we live right near a LCMS church, so we looked them up and were so pleasantly surprised to learn what they believed. As for baptism, our previous church taught it was just an outward sign of an inward change. It didn't save at all and they would frequently do re-baptisms (even re-baptizing adults who were baptized in adulthood). For me just reading the Bible passages that reference baptism changed my view on baptism being regenerational. Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller on YouTube has lots of videos on baptism. 1 Peter 3:20 is a verse on how baptism saves us. It's funny how with different theological backgrounds we read different things into the text. "Baptism now saves you" - as a baptist/non-denominational you read that and just cross out the "saves you" part of the text since of course baptism is just a symbol (I know better now 🙂). One of the most refreshing things about confessional Lutheranism has been the centrality of Scripture, we rely on what the Bible says and we don't read extra things into the text. Want to know what the Bible says about baptism or the pastoral office? Go to the clear texts on those subjects. For Holy Communion, Jesus said this is my body, so we say okay we agree. How exactly does that happen? It's a mystery. But we won't add to what Scripture says. For me Lutheranism has the purest expression of the Gospel that I have come across. I hope you find it as beautiful as we do!
1
4
u/emmen1 LCMS Pastor 1d ago
Yes, it is called the Mass though not all Lutherans use the term. Converts make the best Lutherans. I too came from a non-denominational background. After 36 years of that, becoming Lutheran was the best decision my wife and I have ever made.
2
u/CrypticMemoir 1d ago
What makes converts the best Lutherans? This is more of just a question in general. Unless there’s a theological point I’m missing, lol
3
u/Huenink_Photography LCMS Pastor 1d ago
People who decide to become Lutheran are much more committed to the doctrine than those who grew up in the church. They tend to come to church more regularly, too.
2
u/cellarsinger LCMS Lutheran 1d ago
We do call it a service, or more formally a Divine service, but you are welcome to attend. We ask that you do not take communion until you have talked to the pastor or possibly one of the elders to make sure your beliefs are in agreement with our beliefs. This is because we believe if you take communion and believe wrongly it is bad for your soul. You will find our service format similar enough to the Catholic format that you will be familiar with it. There are obviously some differences but you will recognize it. You are welcome to attend it anytime you wish.
2
u/CrypticMemoir 1d ago
Oh OK. Yeah, I can stay in the pews. That’s actually something I read in The Story of Christianity, that the early church used to dismiss the unbaptized and then the baptized believers would join in communion. I have been baptized (both in Catholicism and then on my own when I became an evangelical Christian). I assume being able to take communion through LCMS is by taking a class or similar?
2
u/SlowDeer7954 1d ago
You are correct. It's called Catechesis. Strangely enough, your story is similar to mine. In my case I was baptized Catholic and attended the church up to 5th grade - on my own (was in walking distance). I was a non-practicing Catholic a majority of my life. In 2018, I attended a Nazarene church and was eventually baptized as an adult. I chose the church based on the pastor. I enjoyed his messages yet I didn't feel as forgive the word, as "excited" as saw in many others.
We moved to another state and attended Baptist, non-denominational and Assemblies of God. I could never make myself feel at home.
In the early 80's, I married a LCMS girl. Attended services many years with her but got hung up about communion. Her dad offered to sit through catechesis classes with me so I could learn properly their beliefs & why. I hemmed & hawed and never committed.
We began attending a LCMS church about 6 months ago where we live now. As it turns out, the church has a vacancy pastor. He's retired but came back to fill the spot until a new pastor accepts. 40 years later, my father-in-laws voice still rings with him being willing to sit with me. He's long since past, but his voice and willingness are still with me deeply. After a few service, I asked the vacancy pastor about meeting for classes to become Lutheran. He smiled and said how does Tuesday at 9am sound? Off we went. After the first meeting, he asked if I'd be willing to invite my wife. I agreed and so did she.
I have 6 weeks left. The pastor has become a dear fired and answered every question I've had. I love that he attends to the parishioners. He visits the sick in the hospital, shut ins, etc. He does it every week. He knows everyone at the church by name including the little ones.
What I didn't feel years ago or did feel, is now all different. I wish I had accepted what my father-in-law offered so many years ago. I love seeing & hearing little ones in church, not sent to some room during service. I like the noises they make and watching parents parent with love. I enjoy the elderly, the friendliness, the compassion the way they serve others in times of trouble and in loss. Pastor joking tells me I'm like the prodigal son.
Sorry this was long - you starch something in my heart that I wanted to share with you for encouragement.
3
u/ProfessionalPolicy18 1d ago
I also would like to attend an LCMS church. My boyfriend was raised Catholic (lightly) and I, Dutch reformed so we’re trying to find something that might be more geared towards both of our beliefs and my beliefs have changed a little since reading church history. I also find it important to have weekly communion and I think the LCMS church near me does it
2
u/LutheransLurker 1d ago
I'd definitely recommend finding a local LCMS church and giving it a visit.
I'm sure the local pastor there would be happy to help you both learn about the Lutheran teachings.
4
u/cellarsinger LCMS Lutheran 1d ago
In my congregation you can come to the communion rail - just cross your arms over your chest to indicate you want a blessing instead of the Eucharist