Becoming a Lutheran

[BryanW92]

I've been wanting to leave the United Methodist Church for about a year, but for a variety of reasons, just haven't done it yet.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to give up on all the mainline denominations because I'm leaving the UMC for reasons unrelated to theology. I just disagree with the way the denomination is run and the things that the Conference does to the local church.

So, after much studying, praying, and visiting, I'm going to become a Lutheran. I know that the ELCA ordains gays, but I'm wondering just how common that is? Also, my friends in the Lutheran Church that I plan to join say that the congregation has full control over whether or not they get a gay pastor and they would never do that (we live in a very conservative military town). In the UMC, the local church gets the pastor that is assigned with no way to reject them or even to discuss the matter. Do Lutheran congregations really have the power to reject/accept a pastor?

I thought about going to the LCMS church, but I'm active in Via de Cristo and they say that they do not participate, and actively discourage, any ecumenical organization like VdC, so ELCA is my only choice if I want to go Lutheran.

I know it sounds like the gay thing is all I'm concerned about, but I've studied the Lutheran Church (and have been involved with Lutherans through VdC for years). I accept the theology of the church, so I'm just worried about going from one denomination where the local church has essentially no control over its destiny to another denomination that does the same thing.

 

[Basil the Great]

While the ELCA is probably your only large Lutheran body as an option, there are other possibilities. The new NALC (North American Lutheran Church) appears to be fast gaining support from local churches leaving the ELCA over the denomination's recent decisions concerning human sexuality. You could check out their website to see if any NALC churches exist in your area. The NALC probably closely resembles the former ALC (American Lutheran Church), which was one of three Lutheran churches that merged to form the ELCA. While they do not hold to the inerrancy of Scripture as much as the Missouri Synod or the Wisconsin Synod, they certainly give it more credence than the ELCA. I believe that the NALC still supports the ordination of women, but not same-sex blessings or the ordination of gay pastors who are in committed relationships. I wish you God's blessing whatever you choose. I watched a most interesting YouTube video yesterday where the LCMS Bishop spoke about ending relations with the ELCA, with whom they had been meeting twice a year to discuss joint projects. However, he wished the NALC folks the very best, despite theological differences, as he said he admired their courage.

 

[Arcangl86]

The ELCA on a denominational level does allow the ordination of LGBTQ folk who are in publicly accountable committed relationships. However as your friend pointed out, the congregation decides who to call, in cooperation with the synod (annual conference). It's quite complicated, but I can explain more if you wish.

 

[Basil the Great]

There is also the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) which seems to have originated as a result of churches leaving the ELCA. I do not know why the LCMC and the NALC have not merged yet, but perhaps someone here knows the answer. It would appear that they are probably very much alike in their thinking. I guess you could also look into LCMC congregations. Back to the ELCA, I am sure that many, if not most congregations, would not be overly eager to accept a call from a gay pastor in a committed relationship or to go along with the blessing of gay unions. The major exceptions will probably be found in the large metropolitan parishes in the North, with some exceptions elsewhere.

 

[BryanW92]

All those offshoot Lutheran churches aren't an option for me. In my town, we have ELCA and LCMS. I think that the fact that Lutherans get some real control over who their pastor is will mitigate my concerns. As I said, in the UMC, the local church has no choice. They receive a pastor from the Conference and thats all there is to it. If the conference wants to close a church, they send in a "church closer" pastor. If the conference wants it to succeed, they send in a "church growth" pastor. Its all very Machievellian.

 

[filosofer]

There is also the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) which seems to have originated as a result of churches leaving the ELCA. I do not know why the LCMC and the NALC have not merged yet, but perhaps someone here knows the answer. It would appear that they are probably very much alike in their thinking. I guess you could also look into LCMC congregations. Back to the ELCA, I am sure that many, if not most congregations, would not be overly eager to accept a call from a gay pastor in a committed relationship or to go along with the blessing of gay unions. The major exceptions will probably be found in the large metropolitan parishes in the North, with some exceptions elsewhere.

Perhaps the biggest difference between LCMC and NALC is Ecclesiology, how the church is structured and worship life. LCMC is by far the loosest organization, no pastoral roster, no oversight of congregations. These congregations tend toward low-church in terms of worship style. NALC is more hierarchical, with bishops, similar to the old LCA. They maintain a pastoral roster. Many of the churches tend toward a higher liturgical worship format. Obviously exceptions.

 

[graceandpeace]

I only briefly inquired into Lutheranism in my church journey, but coming from a Methodist oriented background myself, I would think you would find greater affinity with ELCA over LCMS. ELCA is in communion with TEC, which is where I am considering joining. I can't help you on minister selection. Good luck.