Denominations

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
For those of you who are theistic evolutionists, what denomination are you? I was raised Catholic but long story short, it didn’t stick. I joined the Lutheran LCMS two or so years ago but they don’t accept evolution and while I thought I didn’t believe in macro evolution, either, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’d be happier in a more theologically liberal church. But I really like the people I’ve met.
Suggestions would be helpful.
 

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Well, there's always the largest of the Lutheran bodies in the USA, the ELCA...if you want to stay a Lutheran.

The "problem" is that any switch would likely solve this one issue at the expense of you taking on a bunch of new ones. Any of the "liberal" denominations you might select are going to hold a number of doctrinal stands at variance from those you've been comfortable with until now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dms1972
Upvote 0

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Well, there's always the largest of the Lutheran bodies in the USA, the ELCS...if you want to stay a Lutheran.

The "problem" is that any switch would likely solve this one issue while taking on a bunch of new ones. Any of the "liberal" denominations are going to take a number of different doctrinal stands from those you've been comfortable with until now.
The closest ELCS to me is farther than I’m willing to drive. There aren’t any Anglican nearby either (is that the same as Episcopalian)?
 
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
The closest ELCS to me is farther than I’m willing to drive.
Note: For other readers, it's of course the ELCA. I corrected that typo as you were reading it. Anyway, lack of a nearby parish takes care of that particular option, but the rest of what I said remains.

You could switch, if that is your choice, but it would be hard to find a church that takes a different view on the matter of evolution but doesn't pose new conflicts for you. That said, I'd guess that the Anglican/Episcopal denominations would come the closest to meeting your objective.

I was thinking UMC, UCC or some ND if any are accepting of evolution.
Whew. Those are waaaaaay different from the LCMS and Lutherans in general. I doubt that you'd be happy with any of them, although the UMC would come much closer than the other two you mentioned.
 
Upvote 0

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Note: For other readers, it's of course the ELCA. I corrected that typo as you were reading it. Anyway, lack of a nearby parish takes care of that particular option, but the rest of what I said remains.

You could switch, if that is your choice, but it would be hard to find a church that takes a different view on the matter of evolution but doesn't pose new conflicts for you. That said, I'd guess that the Anglican/Episcopal denominations would come the closest to meeting your objective.
Lol, that’s ok. I thought it was ELCA but then after reading your post, I thought I was wrong.
 
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
The closest ELCS to me is farther than I’m willing to drive. There aren’t any Anglican nearby either (is that the same as Episcopalian)?
The term and name "Anglican" is normally used by the conservative ones while the word "Episcopal" is usually associated with The Episcopal Church, the larger and much more liberal branch.

Of all the denoms mentioned so far, the UMC is probably the one that is more likely to satisfy and it may be that I've been thinking your concern is solely about that one issue whereas your later posts suggest it's a broader disenchantment. So, all in all, I'd take a look at the UMC for sure. Bear in mind that its liberal and not-so-liberal congregations are about to divide into separate denominations.
 
Upvote 0

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Note: For other readers, it's of course the ELCA. I corrected that typo as you were reading it. Anyway, lack of a nearby parish takes care of that particular option, but the rest of what I said remains.

You could switch, if that is your choice, but it would be hard to find a church that takes a different view on the matter of evolution but doesn't pose new conflicts for you. That said, I'd guess that the Anglican/Episcopal denominations would come the closest to meeting your objective.


Whew. Those are waaaaaay different from the LCMS and Lutherans in general. I doubt that you'd be happy with any of them, although the UMC would come much closer than the other two you mentioned.
By ND I mean non denominational.
 
Upvote 0

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Right. Most NDs are very close to the Baptists, so that would be quite a leap for you, I'm thinking, and most of them wouldn't agree with you about evolution anyway.
Catholics are free to believe in evolution but I found the Mass so boring I could never pay attention.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Silverback

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2019
1,306
853
61
South East
✟66,756.00
Country
United States
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
For those of you who are theistic evolutionists, what denomination are you? I was raised Catholic but long story short, it didn’t stick. I joined the Lutheran LCMS two or so years ago but they don’t accept evolution and while I thought I didn’t believe in macro evolution, either, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’d be happier in a more theologically liberal church. But I really like the people I’ve met.
Suggestions would be helpful.
For those of you who are theistic evolutionists, what denomination are you? I was raised Catholic but long story short, it didn’t stick. I joined the Lutheran LCMS two or so years ago but they don’t accept evolution and while I thought I didn’t believe in macro evolution, either, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’d be happier in a more theologically liberal church. But I really like the people I’ve met.
Suggestions would be helpful.

You will find support for theistic evolution in most protestant denominations, maybe not as official denominational beliefs, but at the congregation level and among the laity, and some clergy.

As was mentioned by Albion, you may find more support for this position among the mainline liberal denominations...you also may not. Embracing liberal denominations will likely include support for abortion on demand, gay marriage, transgender issues, and every other controversial social problem.

Additionally, you MAY face denial of certain Christian doctrines such as the real presence, Christ bodily resurrection, and second coming.

However, if you feel God is leading you to change denominations, then you should do so after much reflection, and prayer...just be sure it's God that's leading you.

Speaking from my own struggles, to much church switching is not a good thing, In my case I got so confused that I had essentially driven myself to despair, and finally I just had to pick a church that was "Reasonable" and since the Chaplain in my military unit was LCMS...I ended up there, and I am content.

I can't see myself at 58 leaving the LCMS, unless they were to go completely off the rails and loose their mind. Fortunately, the LCMS is a pretty solid denomination, not perfect, but solid.
 
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Catholics are free to believe in evolution but I found the Mass so boring I could never pay attention.
Yes, I've begun to see that it's not just the teaching on evolution that is at issue in this discussion. All in all, I'm still thinking that checking out the UMC would be a good place for you to start. It retains the basic format of the Mass and the Episcopal Church's worship but is not nearly so ceremonial (which you might find almost as boring as the RC Mass).
 
  • Prayers
Reactions: Hmm
Upvote 0

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The term and name "Anglican" is normally used by the conservative ones while the word "Episcopal" is usually associated with The Episcopal Church, the larger and much more liberal branch.

Of all the denoms mentioned so far, the UMC is probably the one that is more likely to satisfy and it may be that I've been thinking your concern is solely about that one issue whereas your later posts suggest it's a broader disenchantment. So, all in all, I'd take a look at the UMC for sure. Bear in mind that its liberal and not-so-liberal congregations are about to divide into separate denominations.
How will the division work?
 
Upvote 0

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
You will find support for theistic evolution in most protestant denominations, maybe not as official denominational beliefs, but at the congregation level and among the laity, and some clergy.

As was mentioned by Albion, you may find more support for this position among the mainline liberal denominations...you also may not. Embracing liberal denominations will likely include support for abortion on demand, gay marriage, transgender issues, and every other controversial social problem.

Additionally, you MAY face denial of certain Christian doctrines such as the real presence, Christ bodily resurrection, and second coming.

However, if you feel God is leading you to change denominations, then you should do so after much reflection, and prayer...just be sure it's God that's leading you.

Speaking from my own struggles, to much church switching is not a good thing, In my case I got so confused that I had essentially driven myself to despair, and finally I just had to pick a church that was "Reasonable" and since the Chaplain in my military unit was LCMS...I ended up there, and I am content.

I can't see myself at 58 leaving the LCMS, unless they were to go completely off the rails and loose their mind. Fortunately, the LCMS is a pretty solid denomination, not perfect, but solid.
As a member of LCMS, what are your thoughts on evolution?
 
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
How will the division work?
You know, it's a three way one that I'm at a loss to fully understand. But there was some discussion of it here on CF not so long ago and I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of the Methodist members who were part of that discussion won't see this exchange and join in. Or you might scan the past threads in the Methodist forum here.

The most liberal branch will retain the UMC name and the not-so-liberal group will use the word "Traditional" in the title, as I understand it. But for all I know, the various UMC congregations in a typical city will all be choosing the same branch when this is settled.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

FaithT

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2019
2,348
646
Midwest
✟153,099.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Yes, I've begun to see that it's not just the teaching on evolution that is at issue in this discussion. All in all, I'm still thinking that checking out the UMC would be a good place for you to start. It retains the basic format of the Mass and the Episcopal Church's worship but is not nearly so ceremonial (which you might find almost as boring as the RC Mass).
Well, I dunno.... I love the worship band we have at my current church. The music is contemporary Christian and was what, in part, drew me in.
 
Upvote 0

Silverback

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2019
1,306
853
61
South East
✟66,756.00
Country
United States
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
As a member of LCMS, what are your thoughts on evolution?

As you may expect, I'm not a fan...creationist all the way, but I would be open to an older earth view than the 6000 years being thrown around today. I don't have a problem with science, but I think it needs to be viewed as supporting creation, not opposing it.

Additionally, those politicians who claim to support the view that science is always correct...like AOC, Pelosi, and Sanders...tells me a lot.

Evolution is not a view I can really get behind.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

hedrick

Senior Veteran
Supporter
Feb 8, 2009
20,250
10,565
New Jersey
✟1,147,348.00
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Single
How will the division work?
It's a year away and there are still proposals. The problem with predictions is that they assume that a cooperative proposal will be passed, and recent General Conferences have not supported that kind of thing. It's quite possible that the current murky situation could continue.

My guess, however, is that this won't have that much impact on most UMC congregations. Many churches already are supportive of gays and trans. That will continue. Some are not. That will continue. Many have members of both orientations. That probably will continue in most congregations.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0