2 questions

[Winter]

Just curious....

1. Are the worship services of LCMS typically liturgical (like traditional)? Or is it more contemporary and loose? Or, does it just depend on an individual church?

I seem to be under the impression that its the ELCA branch that is more liturgical - even though their position on social issues tend to be more contemporary liberal. Or is it the other way around?

2. Do LCMS and ELCA hold the same view concerning Holy Communion? I think they do - but I just wanted to see if there were any differences.

Thank you!!

 

[Jim47]

I am WELS Lutheran so I will let the LCMS and ELCA members answer, but

are you looking for a liturgical church whose beliefs are conservative?

if so Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

there is a link for the church locater at the top. Unfortuanetly the WELS is smaller then the LCMS so we don't have as many churchs, but you can look

 

[Studeclunker]

1. LCMS could be described as consistantly inconsistant. So... no, one couldn't say the Synod is typically anything. Especially since the advent of the Ablaze programme. E*CA is a liturgical church. In fact, their liturgy is typically very beautiful. However, it's a beauty without any substance as the leadership has no foundation to their belief system. They even allow the worship of other gods in their churches.
2. No, they don't have the same belief in regards to Holy Communion. First of all, LCMS is supposed to practice Close Communion. E*CA practices open Communion.

Though WELS was not mentioned in your original post, Jim introduced them. You will doubtless find that they are rather tightly laced. Have patience, as you (should you have the opportunity) will find them fully committed to the Word and Sacrament. They practice Closed Communion, that is to say; no one who isn't WELS is allowed at the communion rail. This is obstensively to protect the communicant from committing sin and therefore bringing the judgement of Christ upon themselves. Like I said, they hold the Word very closely. These people Believe everything that's written in the Holy Scriptures. If the Apostle Paul says that, "...You eat and drink condemnation unto yourselves..." then it's something that must be very carefully guarded against. Even if the person involved doesn't want to be guarded. They would rather insult a visitor than cause them to stumble into some sort of condemnation or judgement.

Now, why did I go so far to describe this about WELS? It's to illustrate the point of their belief system. They believe everything written in the Bible and will hold to it regardless. E*CA does not.

Regarding LCMS: Many of their congregations are just as faithful as WELS congregations. In fact, I would go so far as to say, most are. Inconsistancy and the weakening of their doctrine and theology brought on by poor synodical leadership have exascerbated the inconsistancies in the synod. Therefore it's almost a crap-shoot as to what you will find. However, the conservative, traditional LCMS congregation is a true gem in true theology and doctrine. If you can find them, they will teach you a lot. Don't waste your time on the liberals.

 

[DaRev]

2. Do LCMS and ELCA hold the same view concerning Holy Communion? I think they do - but I just wanted to see if there were any differences.

No they don't. The LCMS holds to the Biblical teaching that Christ's body and blood is truly present in, with and under the elements of bread and wine, and that those who receive the Sacrament without believing this fact are committing a sin and are doing serious spiritual harm to themselves. The ELCA, while they may claim to hold to the real presence of the body and blood in the elements, do not require people to believe that in order to receive the Sacrament. They are in open fellowship with several Reformed church bodies that outright reject what Scripture teaches about the body and blood in the Sacrament. Thus, there are many who are eating and drinking to their spiritual detriment in ELCA churches.

Regarding LCMS: Many of their congregations are just as faithful as WELS congregations. In fact, I would go so far as to say, most are. Inconsistancy and the weakening of their doctrine and theology brought on by poor synodical leadership have exascerbated the inconsistancies in the synod. Therefore it's almost a crap-shoot as to what you will find. However, the conservative, traditional LCMS congregation is a true gem in true theology and doctrine. If you can find them, they will teach you a lot. Don't waste your time on the liberals.

I will withhold comment on your entire posit of the LCMS. While it's not totally without some element of accuracy, it does come down a bit too harsh and not necessarily completely accurate.

That said, it's my belief that changes in the synod lie ahead. As Pres-elect Harrison stated at the convention, the status-quo will not remain.

 

[Studeclunker]

That said, it's my belief that changes in the synod lie ahead. As Pres-elect Harrison stated at the convention, the status-quo will not remain.

Such, Revrand, are the fervant prayers of many people, including myself. However, how are they going to deal with congregations like the one in Redding? That congregation has gone so far 'out there' that I think the E*CA congregation here is more conservative. President Harrison is going to have his hands full undoing the damage Kiesnick(sp?) and his crowd have done. He, you, and the LCMS are in my prayers, Revrand. God save the LCMS.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Here is a list of Confessional Liturgical Churches in the LCMS/LCC, and Synods in fellowship: Evangelical-Lutheran Liturgical Congregations

Mine is among them, thank God!

 

[Aibrean]

My LCMS church has two services, both are liturgical (before I visited, I asked about that). We don't have a contemporary service (YAY). I've been to one that had a traditional blend and then a contemporary service. I think it depends on the church itself.

 

[Tangible]

My LCMS church has two types of services. On the 2nd and 4th Sundays we worship from the Lutheran Service Book - very beautiful and traditional liturgy. On these Sundays we have Communion.

On the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays we (unfortunately) worship in a style I characterize as 'liturgical-lite'. Kinda reminds me of something you might find in a Methodist church than anything else. The songs are a blend of traditional hymns (usually only one verse is sung), revivalist hymns, and contemporary praise choruses.

If it were up to me, I would scrap the lightweight crap and go all high-church smells and bells with communion every Sunday. Alas, I am overruled.

 

[filosofer]

Here is a list of Confessional Liturgical Churches in the LCMS/LCC, and Synods in fellowship: Evangelical-Lutheran Liturgical Congregations

Mine is among them, thank God!

Just so you know, that list is very selective and does not begin to acknowledge "confessional-liturgical" Lutheran congregations in LCMS or AALC.

 

[Studeclunker]

If it were up to me, I would scrap the lightweight crap and go all high-church smells and bells with communion every Sunday. Alas, I am overruled.

Smells and Bells??? LOL!

 

[TCat]

My LCMS church offers both contemporary and traditional services on Sunday and throughout the week. Communion is available at least 2-3 of the services and one could partake weekly if they chose to do so.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Just so you know, that list is very selective and does not begin to acknowledge "confessional-liturgical" Lutheran congregations in LCMS or AALC.

The rules and conditions of inclusion are published in the website; all Congregations in fellowship with LCMS, that comply with the requirements, may join the list. I would hope that they would.

Smells and Bells??? LOL!

We have a LCC Congregation in London Ontario (which I visit from time to time) where there is Sung High Mass; and I mean "High" Mass every Sunday! It is not "better than"; but is a most beautiful conveyance of God Grace to His children. The Pastor has an awesome voice; so he can really pull it off... and he's a strict confessional.

Also, communion is on the tongue only, and no shot glasses.

 

[Aibrean]

We have communion every week. I would love smells and bells though.

 

[alexnbethmom]

my very first post on this forum....the LCMS church i attend is confessional lutheran, we only have one service, and it is traditional liturgy, we do communion 1st and 3rd sundays of the month, and we have the "shotglasses" as well as the common cup....thank goodness we don't do a contemporary service, i think that would drive me batty....after spending the better part of my childhood in every kind of contemporary church known to man, i find the traditional liturgical service so beautiful, so reverent, and i feel so unbelievably close to God worshipping in this way, i just couldn't go to a church that offered that kind of service....

hope i did this right!

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

my very first post on this forum....the LCMS church i attend is confessional lutheran, we only have one service, and it is traditional liturgy, we do communion 1st and 3rd sundays of the month, and we have the "shotglasses" as well as the common cup....thank goodness we don't do a contemporary service, i think that would drive me batty....after spending the better part of my childhood in every kind of contemporary church known to man, i find the traditional liturgical service so beautiful, so reverent, and i feel so unbelievably close to God worshipping in this way, i just couldn't go to a church that offered that kind of service....

hope i did this right!

Hi and welcome!

You did it just right!

Mark

 

[Jim47]

Greetings fellow Lutheran and welcome to TCL

 

[Tangible]

my very first post on this forum....the LCMS church i attend is confessional lutheran, we only have one service, and it is traditional liturgy, we do communion 1st and 3rd sundays of the month, and we have the "shotglasses" as well as the common cup....thank goodness we don't do a contemporary service, i think that would drive me batty....after spending the better part of my childhood in every kind of contemporary church known to man, i find the traditional liturgical service so beautiful, so reverent, and i feel so unbelievably close to God worshipping in this way, i just couldn't go to a church that offered that kind of service....

hope i did this right!

Welcome! I think we're pretty evenly split here between cradle Lutherans and adult converts like me and you. Sounds like we have a very similar background.