[kakuehl]

I've met others in various forums who are Lutheran. I thought it might be kind of fun to check in here and introduce ourselves. I am a life-long Lutheran (as long as you don't count my being baptized in my mother's EUB church). I am an ELCA pastor, ordained in 1994 and I am the birth/first mom of a son born in 1972 who was adopted by... a Lutheran pastor and his wife. (All I was told was that he was a "mainline" pastor.) D and I have been in reunion since October 2005.

What about the rest of you?

[Lorraine123]

I also am a Lutheran, however, not life long. I grew up in a menagerie of denominations - Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist. I was Methodist when my husband and I got married. He was Catholic. We found that the Lutheran church was a good match for both of us and we are both very comfortable there. We have been attending the Lutheran church for about 7 years now.

I am the bio mom of two teenage boys and the adoptive mom of a 10 year old daughter. She has been with us for almost 4 years now. She was baptized in the Lutheran church the Sunday after her finalization. How cool to meet other Lutherans!!!!

[kakuehl]

A menagerie of denominations is a good way to be a Lutheran, I think. It gives us the understanding that Christians come in many shapes and sizes (and beliefs). The Lutheran church is often a good choice for a Roman Catholic and a protestant. One definition of Lutheranism is Protestant principle (justification by grace) and catholic substance (the Sunday liturgy).

Thanks for introducing yourself and family here. I hope others will join us.

[kakuehl]

Just thought I'd bump this up! I know there are more Lutherans on this forum!

[maricela]

Hi! Fellow Lutheran here too! My husband and I were raised Catholics but converted about 7 years ago. My son goes to a Lutheran School (LOVE IT) and my daughter goes to the preschool at our church! We have a small congregation & it feels like family.

Glad to meet other fellow Lutherans! Did you see Orange Lutheran won the CIF football championship on Satuday?!?! Very exciting game!!

Maricela

[kakuehl]

Hi, thanks for posting. Unfortunately, I don't really follow football (or basketball, or soccor, or hockey - you get the picture.) I try to pay enough attention so I don't put my foot in my mouth with my parishoniers! LOL

I do like the family feel of small congregations. Unfortunately because we're family we sometimes fight like family. Right now I'm responsible for 3 small congregations (I'm the called pastor of 2 & the "vacancy pastor" of a 3rd). Somedays it feels like I have 100 children.

While I am a lifelong Lutheran Christian, it's also a very deliberate choice because I resonate to the Lutheran emphasis on the unconditional love of God for us.

[Lorraine123]

We also have a small congregation and we too fight like family sometimes, but that part of the closeness we feel. It is so interesting to me how many previous Catholics are now Lutherans. While it is somewhat similar, there are some fundamental differences. Maricela - does that cause any problems for you and your husband?

[maricela]

Hi, Converting has not caused problems between my husband & myself, in fact it has brought us closer. My cousin & her family started going to our church & have since converted also. Outside of that, it caused a huge problem with my extended family! My brother said it was "just a phase I was going through". My mom, till this day, rolls her eyes when I tell her I have a board meeting with the church, or my husband has an elders meeting. She can't understand why we are so involved in our church. She finally stopped giving us grief when I told her that she had no right to judge me about my relationship with church and God when she hadn't picked up a bible in years, much less go to church. Someone even told her that the Lutheran Church was "cult"....Oh...I can go on & on about issues.

[Lorraine123]

How funny!!!! My husband's family is very Catholic, so they have a huge problem with him converting. It actually kind of humurous sometimes.

Our church is very accepting of everyone. I find that they look at the inside of the person versus the outside and I like that. Is that true of Lutherans in general or did we just get lucky?

[kakuehl]

Lorraine, I would say that accepting everyone is what we preach and teach as Lutheran Christians (no, we're NOT a cult!); some congregations are better at living their faith than others. By the way, have those of you who were Catholic read the Augsburg Confession? It is a series of 28 "articles" that lays out where the reformers (Lutherans) agree and disagree with the Roman church. While is was written about 450 years ago, it does a good job at pointing out where we agree and disagree.

[kakuehl]

Bumping this up again.

[Lorraine123]

The pastor of our church just resigned. She was absolutely wonderful. Not just a great pastor and great leader, but a great friend. She is now working as the assistant to the Bishop (whatever that means). So, we are in limbo right now. We have an interim pastor and are looking for a new one. Church attendance has gone down significantly.

[kakuehl]

It's a difficult period for congregations when pastors leave (even when the congregation wants him/her gone). When you say interim, is the pastor leading worship every Sunday? Congregations need a time to mourn for the pastor who leaves (especially a loved one) or the next one who is called won't be there long. I hope your congregation can use the time to take a good look at yourselves and your gifts and who God has called you to be at this time in this congregation as you fill out the "profile". If your former pastor is now an assistant to the bishop she may well be in a position to help your congregation. In my synod, one of the tasks of the assistant to the bishop is to work with congregations in transition (and to interview pastors interested in new calls!)

I will keep you and your congregation in my prayers.

[kakuehl]

bumping this