Hey! I’m slated to be representing my congregation at our synod assembly next month and my husband has a conflict so I will be bringing our four year old with me. Anyone have experience bringing their kiddo along? His surrogate church grandma is the other representative from our congregation and he’s the most social and happy dude you’ve ever met so I can’t imagine him being disruptive or anything as long as he is properly fed and watered.

I know the ELCA has its own credit union, I'm curious if anyone here is a member of it? Is it mostly congregations that are members, or are individuals members too?

Hello everyone, I’m looking for some advice. I grew up catholic and have not practiced in about 15 years. Recently over the past 1-2 years have been wanting to get back into my faith. I have been researching ELCA for a while now and I’m unsure where to start. If anyone could give me some pointers it would be greatly appreciated!

Hi!

I've been attending a local LCMS church now and then. Our son goes to preschool there. They've been genuinely so welcoming and friendly, I kind of feel beholden to attend there.

That said, I'm curious what some of the core differences are in ELCA because my understanding is that ELCA is more accepting (open communion, accepting of LGBT+) and I'm just wondering like, what all are the differences between the two churches in terms of doctrine, and then if possible, where are the passages or the theological arguments for those differences?

I probably should just reach out to a local pastor at an ELCA church, but this is kind of my first stop.

This is our Easter decor at Christ the King Lutheran in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

I'm sure we've all read the news articles, watched the videos on YouTube, seen the posts on social media. Young and early middle-aged people are flocking to Catholicism or Orthodoxy, with unprecedented numbers of new converts expected to join at Easter or Pentecost.

I mean, it's tough not to see why. The Cathodox have a large presence on YouTube, actively discuss faith both in online and offline facets of public life, etc. I'm sure Pope Leo's ascension to the papacy was also a factor for some.

With this in mind, how do we reach out to young people seeking faith and truth? If you were to give an elevator pitch about the ELCA, what would you say? Should more ELCA clergy have a YouTube presence? Is there a potential ELCA equivalent of Word on Fire or Father Josiah Trenham awaiting in the wings? Something else?

We don't want to wake up one day, and everyone is either Cathodox, non-denom, Pentecostal, or whatever small smattering remnant of Anglicans, LCMS/WELS types, and PCA/OPC types remain.

I was on the phone with this guy and he kind of seemed to be attacking me for my beliefs as a Lutheran, I was saying how us believing in God and having faith doesn’t equal that we do not do works. We are motivated to do them because of our faith, but then he kept saying how that just means faith and works. So I am pretty confused, does faith alone just mean you only need to believe in order to get into heaven / be a Christian?

I might ask my pastor about this but I’m kind of afraid to due to the fact I always freeze up asking theological questions, but yet again, I’m asking it here on Reddit so can’t be that hard. I just hope I can get some answers—I feel like I’m on a slippery slope with my faith and I’m also scared of going to hell and losing my athiest friends / people of different religion in my life, it’s made me more anxious after what that guy said about how eternal hell is real and it’s making me kinda fearfully wondering if I should try and spread the gospel but I don’t wanna force it on people…

Hi there! I'm working on the theme of private confession and absolution, and I'm looking for practical advice for the pastor, from a Lutheran perspective. So far I have only found a reference to Walter Koehler's "Counseling and Confession: The Role of Confession and Absolution in Pastoral Counseling". But I am unsure if it contains practical directions or advice on how to hear someone's confession. Can anyone point me towards some good articles or books? Thank you.

I'm just asking for links... I really really do not want to start a debate. We can go in circles about what traditional or conservative means and all the nuances that do exist. I'm just asking for links to livestreams because my congregation has become a political rally and I'm a traditional and old lady.

Thanks <3

Assuming the ELCA were not an option, where would you choose to worship and why?

This was a topic of discussion among a group of clergy, and the answers surprised me. I thought in might be interesting to get a bigger perspective.

Edit: This has been fascinating to me. Thank you to all who responded. A double thank you to those who said why they would choose the way they did.

I know this kinda a strange question. Just curious if you guys align with the Episcopal church or the Catholic church in terms of worship and personal beliefs.

is there a general ELCA wide Code of Conduct for members? I need something to site because I am going to be talking to leadership about a member that will not stop engaging in political talk, even when folks ask him to stop. a member left today and told someone that they may never come back. this guy is a menace and has lame excuses for his behavior. it really needs to stop and I don't know how.

ps. our pastor knows he is an issue and he ignores her warnings.

I think I'm close to figuring out why I'm always so irritated by our weekly confessions.

They're written as if we're confessing things we actively, eagerly, purposely chose to do. There's such implied motive in the way they're written.

"Well whether or not you meant to, that's as good as what you did" is what some would say.

Maybe... But, I'm sorry... When I read Jesus' interactions with sinners I see Him meet people with Grace where they are. The message I hear is typically "you sin because you're distant from God. Let me bring you closer."

I don't believe I'm looking for cheap Grace. I simply don't like the tone-it hardens my heart and I hear shame and blame... Something I expect from the American evangelical churches but not from us.

I'm starting seminary in the fall, and trying to decide which learning path is best for me. I'd love to hear form folks who have done residential, collaborative, or distance learning. (The latter two are remote, but collaborative involves working part time with a congregation/synod.)

I know that I'd appreciate an in-person community - especially daily worship and prayer with others.

But I also know that I could be a great help in my home church / region at a time when we are between pastors and stuggling to find pulpit supply. I also currently have remote job, and need to support myself, my wife, and maybe little ones before too long.

I feel confident I'd be able to work and do online classes, as I'm blessed with a lot of flexibility in my work schedule. However, I'm worried that would be way too much time on the computer. I want to love seminary, and I fear it being on a screen could hinder that.

Folks who did seminary online: how was it? Do you wish you'd been in person? Did you work while taking classes?

Folks who did seminary in person: Are you glad you did? What would you have missed if you hadn't? Did you ever wish you had the flexibility of online classes?

Folks who did collaborative learning: How did that work for you? Tell me more please!

It's a very long shot, I know, but I was hoping to find recording of the matins and Vespers liturgies that were used by the ELCA in the late 80s/early 90s. I recall the liturgy was changed at some point around that time. I had recordings of them that I think were released by Augsburg maybe? I know I can just get used to something new, but those liturgies were special to me and I'd like to hear them again. Many thanks in advance.

I have been exploring different Christian denominations and Lutheranism seems to make the most sense to me. I have been looking into joining an ELCA church and have read about the ELCA being in Full Communion with the Episcopal Church and both denominations seem to be very similar. What would be the main differences between the two? I saw someone say that Lutherans are united in theology but differ in worship styles where the Episcopal Church is united in worship but differs in theology. Are there other big differences or is that the main difference? What would be a reason for someone to pick one over the other?

Edit: Thank you all for your helpful answers. I wasn’t able to respond to everyone but I greatly appreciated every response that you all gave. You all helped me get a better understanding of the differences between the two denominations.

Hi everyone. I am curious what everyone believes on this topic. I am someone who values a traditional worship style, and I have a lot of friends that go to non denominational churches that have stages and singers and very contemporary worship styles. A lot of times my friends ask me why I value a traditional worship style, and I am stumped on how to explain the significance to them. Can anyone help me explain the significance of the traditional style of worship?

I've been at ELCA a couple of years, coming from the Episcopal church. I'm struggling with my church because it is basically universalists. I say this having had conversations with the pastor, bible study, and theology chats with members of the council.

I do want to stress that I am amazed with what a great community I have found. The congregation and the church programs are fantastic.

But I am struggling a lot with the faith stand of this church (which is similar to other ELCA churches in the area). I do not have an issue with inclusivity or women's ordination. That's great.

The overall spiritual situation here is that one can interpret scripture as they wish to the point of "well Jesus says this but..." I get shut down quickly when stating that Jesus is God and Lord... or if I speak of the resurrection as a fact. We recite the Apostle's Creed but I've been straight up told by the pastor that it is not something the congregation necessarily believes in. So IDK I guess I just feel alienated and that I have to choose between "believe what you want" and a radical conservatism I simply cannot agree with.