"What kind of Lutheran church do you go to?"
I go to St Timothy's ELCA in Omaha, NE. It is typical of a lot of mainline churches in wealthy suburban areas: politically conservative/theologically moderate congregation with liberal-leaning pastors who choose their words carefully.
"How long have you been a member?"
I'm actually not a member, nor was I raised Lutheran. I've been attending since Ash Wednesday 2014. Neither the associate pastor who I'm pretty close to, nor I have much of a clue how I "darkened the door of a Lutheran church" with no prior exposure to Lutheranism.
"What do you like about your church, what not?"
The people are very welcoming. The congregation is very involved with ministering to the community, closely partners with Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. I like the church's theological focus and message, as well. Sermons are geared toward the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and our need to grow as Christians. I "fled" to this church from a Disciples of Christ church that really got aggressive with its political agenda, and I was really needing a kind of "back to the basics" Christian home. I also have found I really like the Lutheran order of worship, music, and liturgy. My dad was raised Catholic and I grew up with a lot of Catholic friends, so going to mass is not foreign to me and I always enjoyed it more than the services of the CC (DOC).
On the negative side of the ledger, I've always preferred traditional services to contemporary, but the "main" service at St. Timothy's is the contemporary one, drawing twice the number of the traditional service. From what I've read about Lutheran history, it seems like their existing traditional service is very much a "low church" service. I guess if people have the option, and most prefer the contemporary service, I'd like to see some more high church elements added to the traditional service. The other concern I have with the church is more of a potential than current issue: I sense that we're like a family at Thanksgiving - we have a lot of different opinions but for the sake of harmony, we don't talk about stuff we disagree on. I can imagine our pastors praying every morning "Lord, please don't let a gay couple walk in wanting to get married today" - because that sort of thing would split us 50/50 awfully quick.
How do you view their doctrine?
I'd say they're on the conservative side of the ELCA. They still talk about sin and redemption, don't speak in horribly stilted language about God in the name of eliminating all male pronouns, and the pastors teach the gospel in a straightforward, if not vanilla manner.
How important is it to you that you go to a Lutheran church specifically?
I'm a Christian first and foremost. In my 26 years, I've attended the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where I was baptized, the Evangelical Free Church in my high school and college years, back to the DOC out of college, and into the ELCA about a year and a half ago. I really, really like the history, culture, and teachings of Lutheranism, and could easily see myself spending the rest of my life in this branch of Christianity (let's not kid ourselves, I'm probably going to outlive the ELCA specifically).
How well do you know the Lutheran Book of Concord? Do you have it, and do you regularly study it?
I don't know it very well. I got it earlier this year and I've been chipping away at it for a few months.
I wonder whether he still goes here! And so I thought it were interesting to know how you other lutherans would describe your relationship (or rather way of commitment, maybe?) to lutheranism. So, here are some questions you might find helpful for answering the main question (or if not then forget about them!). What kind of lutheran church do you go to? How long have you been a member? What do you like about your church, what not? How do you view their doctrine? How important is it to you that you go to a lutheran church specifically? How well do you know the Lutheran Book of Concord? Do you have it, and do you regularly study it?
