Lutheran Liturgical Churches

First of all, thank you for volunteering to answer questions for inquirers online! I'm not sure which synod of Lutheranism you're in since it says your more familiar with conservative viewpoints. I'm also conservative, or at least I'd say I strongly desire to see orthodox teaching continue on the core doctrines of the faith and also support upholding the traditional Christian understanding of marriage.  It seems many inside the ELCA are quite willing to tolerate pastors and bishops who question everything essential to the faith, and openly give endorsement to homosexual lifestyles, and say that it's ok to be Lutheran and question things like the Virgin Birth, Trinity, Bodily Ressurrection of Jesus, etc. You name it they question it.  Anyhow, I have been an Episcopalian and my local church now has a radical feminist priest and openly gay couples abound in the congregation.  The gay organist actually attempted to "hit on me" at coffee hour.  I was horrified, and don't want to be in that kind of Church anymore.  I like the Lutheran Churh for its similarity to Anglicanism because of the liturgy and reverent worship service. The chruch I have been attending is ELCA  but was wondering if Missorri and Wisconsin synods are also liturgical churches? Do they use vestments?  I know that they are more conservative but I also dislike the modern evangelical mega church style of worship that everyone's trying to copy? So, what can you tell me about those two synods worship styles? Sorry for the length of this posting! I shouldn't have spent so much time venting, I just wanted you to know what I'm looking for and why.  God Bless!


Hello,

For full disclosure, I am an LCMS pastor. My church wesbite is at http://saintjameslutheranchurch.org From what you say, it seems that you are in search of a socially conservative congregation with traditional worship practices. Almost all American denominations right now are struggling with these two issues: Doctrine and Practice.

The major Lutheran groups are no exception I'm afraid. Your issues with the Episcopal and ELCA are primarily doctrinal. In other words they have changed the basic teachings of Christianity and the Holy Scriptures. LCMS and WELS churches (along with ELS and other groups) are generally conservative in this respect.

It seems your inquiry about LCMS/WELS is primarily practical. In other words; what do they do on a typical Sunday morning? What will my visit look like? What order of service will they use and what hymns? I'm afraid to say that this will vary tremendously from congregation to congregation. This is true across almost all denominational lines, "conservative" to "liberal".

Many congregations, such as my own, within the "conservative" Lutheran bodies will certainly use vestments and pray a very familiar and reverent liturgy. (Almost all modern Protestant liturgies in the English language are derived from the early Church of England Book of Common Prayer which was largely a translation of Luther's German Mass.)

Many other "conservative" congregations will use a vast array of the latest "modern evangelical mega-church" practices. I agree with you that it seems almost everybody, in you-name-it denomination, is "trying to copy" this style. This is simply the latest bandwagon trend, sold by its supporters as the most "missional" and "effective" for "growing the church".

I think you are looking for a confessional (traditional doctrine) and liturgical (traditional practice) Lutheran congregation. Unfortunately, the only way you will find this is not by looking at the letters on the church sign (ELCA/LCMS/WELS) but by calling the individual churches up on the phone and/or checking out their websites. Then make a number of visits to different congregations.

May I suggest www.lutheranliturgy.org as a starting point.

May God bless you as you seek to receive his Gifts and rejoice in all his Benefits!

Pastor Harris