What would it take?

MrJim

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I contacted both LCMS & WELS about this. We have 7 ELCA Lutheran congregations in our town...and that's the only version of Lutheran available within 30 miles. It's hard to believe our somewhat rural area can't support a single conservative Lutheran congregation. I've been visiting/attending an Eastern Orthodox parish but feel I would be more at home with a conservative Lutheran congregation.

The closest LCMS is 30 miles and closest WELS is 50 miles...and we're in a very conservative part of the state...(always a "red county" in the elections)...what would it take to get folks like LCMS/WELS here?

Thanks!
Jim
 

Hermit76

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Hey Jim... LJ here. This is my name on this forum.

You may be surprised to find WELS or LCMS folk around you. They may put you in contact. Just hold out hope.

Btw, thanks for referencing me to this forum.
 
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MrJim

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Hey Jim... LJ here. This is my name on this forum.

You may be surprised to find WELS or LCMS folk around you. They may put you in contact. Just hold out hope.

Btw, thanks for referencing me to this forum.
You're welcome LJ~~lot of good folks here :)
 
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MrJim

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I honestly don't know. Are any of the ELCA congregations more conservative in their theology and practice? You may have to go with the least bad option.
Due to obvious reasons I've tossed the entire ELCA under the bus....if in this town there aren't enough conservative Lutherans to draw in a more conservative and stable denominational congregation then that's just sad...doesn't make sense since this is a very conservative area.
 
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filosofer

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While I live 80 miles from downtown LA, the next nearest Lutheran church is 45 miles away. We are the conservative, actually only Lutheran church in a 45 mile radius. We have people who drive 30+ miles every Sunday plus Bible Study during week. I serve a TAALC congregation (in altar/pulpit fellowship with LCMS).

When I served in LCMS in Wyoming District, we had people drive anywhere from 30-45 miles. One couple lived 28 miles out, and 20+ miles was dirt roads. In winter or summer, they did not miss one Sunday in five years.
 
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Mrs Awesome

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I'd recommend contacting the LCMS directly. As others have mentioned, I bet you'd be surprised at how many conservative Lutherans are actually around you - despite not having a formal congregation. :) Here's the website: http://www.lcms.org

Until a formal church is formed (either physically as in a real building or spiritually as in meeting in someone's living room with other LCMS Lutherans for worship), I recommend listening to LCMS church services that are either broadcast on the radio or online. Many churches do this now and often times you can actually watch a video feed rather than just listen. This is a great way to stay true to your Biblically-based conservative beliefs (which the LCMS is known for), while still being active in your faith. Here is one LCMS church that broadcasts their sermons via video feed online: http://www.calvarylutheranlincoln.org/#/media
 
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LizaMarie

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I don't know what all goes into it but can you start a mission church if you can find some like-minded Lutherans in your area?
When we moved to rural Orange Co, Calif in the mid-60's my Mom wanted to attend a LCMS church and there was no Lutheran church of any sort within 30 miles but we found a mission church that met in the cafeteria every Sunday of the local Public School (Yes the local Public School!) and we had a pastor come preach, Sunday School there, ect.
Eventually we had a beautiful church building built out among the orange groves,called a Pastor, ect. I was very young then so I don't remember a lot of details, just that we were a mission church without even a church building but we did get one built. And my Mom has passed away so I can't ask her details such as how she found this congregation, ect, maybe by word of mouth.
 
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