There's a ton of stuff in the ELW, but it seems like most of it goes unused in my parish. The hymns that are sung on Sunday mornings are all printed in the bulletin, and about half of those are from other hymnals. There are some nice prayers in the ELW, but I've never heard of anyone praying them. The Psalms are in there, but they're also in the Bible. The lectionary is in there, but it's also available in other places.

I'm not knocking the ELW. I think it looks like a great collection of resources. I just don't see it being used very much.

How do you use the ELW? How many of you use it at home? Is there any reason for a lay person to get a copy for home use?

I am so beyond grateful for the ELCA today. I could post a whole long story, but today I'll leave it at this. This week my congregation has officially sponsored my candidacy for Word and Sacrament ministry. And my partner has given their blessing and support for my going to seminary. There's a lot that still has to happen between now and starting seminary, but officially getting my pastor, the church council, and my partner's blessing seem like huge first steps. I'm beside myself with joy and gratitude, and so you all get to hear about it!

“Ellis Island was the first and largest federal immigrant processing station, receiving over 12 million future Americans between 1892 and 1954, when it was abandoned.”

“Border officials encountered 11 million unauthorized migrants attempting to enter the US between October 2019 and June 2024.”

The progressive wing of the Democratic Party (and progressive Independents and Greens), the wing often at odds with the Biden/Harris administration on issues such as the Gaza war, criminal justice, and energy production, has begun to criticize the Biden administration’s crackdown on asylum, saying that it’s a “betrayal of American values” as we are largely a “nation of immigrants.” While we are indeed a nation of immigrants (and, before that, colonists who didn’t always treat the Native people very kindly), the notion that any crackdown on asylum and crossings at the southern border is a “betrayal of American values” is nonsense, as seen in the 2 above statistics being displayed side-by-side. There has always been regulation to the amount of immigration we allow.

The far-left will often point to the words on the Statue of Liberty - specifically “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” - when advocating for unlimited asylum, decriminalizing border crossings, abolishing ICE, etc. The hypocrisy of this is that the number of people who immigrated through Ellis Island in a 62-year span is only 1 million people larger than the number of people who have crossed our southern border in the past 5 years, under both the Biden and Trump administrations.

Should we be welcoming to immigrants who come here legally? Yes. Are the majority of immigrants, legal or illegal, serial killers and pet-eaters? No, of course not. But, as with all other times in American history, we need to regulate the amount of people coming in.

One of the most mature things one can do is realize when mistakes were made and own up to them. Democrats have made many mistakes in the past, everything from endorsing slavery and segregation to advocating for shifting funds away from law enforcement and the military, which is why I applaud the current Democratic Party for turning back to the center on immigration and realizing that having unregulated immigration at the southern border was a mistake. While some of my more progressive friends are angry, and some of my ultra-conservative friends still think the Harris campaign stands for “open borders,” I’d rather give the Democratic Party credit where credit is due when they talk about their recommitment to border security and cracking down on illegal immigration AND asylum.

1. OVERVIEW: My partner and I have been members of a wonderful ELCA church in the SC Synod since 2020. Neither one of us have any complaints about the ELCA, the SC Synod, or our church. But here's the thing....

2. QUESTION: We'd like to join our local Unitarian Universalist church while maintaining our ELCA membership. The UUs, by their very nature, have no problem with this. But the ELCA might. Does anyone have any insight on the formal ELCA SC Synod rules about "dual denomination membership"?

3. INTEGRITY. Whether my partner and I choose to go or stay with the ELCA, we want to behave with integrity, compassion and kindness. If you have any advice on how we might navigate this tough situation, please feel free to share.

- Blessed Be

My understanding is that Luther insisted that God's grace is imputed, and not infused. This was a big theological development, as every theologian since Augustine believed grace was (at least also) infused in the soul. I believe this was because Luther insisted on one-- and only one-- way of understanding justification, that being the forensic model. The infusion of grace would contradict the legal understanding of justification as "throwing out the charges" in God's court of law.

I think Luther's insistence on "Faith Alone" (apart from Grace Alone) makes sense only if you stick exclusively to the forensic model.

The thing is, I believe strongly that the forensic model is only one way to understand justification. It's not wrong, but it's not the only model. I prefer the medical model, myself, which views salvation as a "healing" and allows for infusion of grace. I'm not saying that grace is not imparted--it absolutely is-- but I believe it is ALSO infused, transforming the person and allowing them to heal and grow more and more into the person Good created them to be, a process that ends only in heaven (I also believe in purgation after death, not as a place but a process, perhaps instantaneous, but conscious purgation nevertheless).

Is there room for this view in today's Lutheran Church (ELCA)?

Just so nobody misunderstands me I wanna make it clear that I believe those with homosexual attraction can be saved and should be welcome in church to hear the gospel but I don't think it should be affirmed or supported. Here's my post: So I usually go to a wels but have been exploring a local ELCA and from my understanding not all churches within rhe synod are affirming and I made friends with a lady at that church who had the same concerns and said that in her discussion with the pastor he said that he doesn't agree with if, belives it's a sin as the Bible says, and that as long as he's pastor the church won't be affirming or allow gay marriage etc so that very reassuring since I really like this church but don't wanna go to one that condones sin. I'm just curious what others experiences are. Are there actually quite a few ELCA churches that don't affirm it?

What is your experience with adopting a contemporary music service? We made this move in belief that potential younger families/visitors were turned off by the ‘stuffiness’ of the traditional service and hymns. I personally prefer the traditional over contemporary, but willing to change as needed. We’ve noted a decline in attendance and no uptick of younger visitors. Your experience?

I'm interested in learning more about this subset of Lutheranism. I am currently a RC, but discerning a new home. My concerns with Lutheranism is that it can sometimes seem too "low church" for me. The fathers of the early church are important to me, as are liturgy, the Great Tradition, the Mass, Marian devotion, and certain symbols. Are Evangelical Catholic Lutherans a cognate to Anglo- Catholicism? What are the differences? Do they say the rosary? Where can I learn more? Thanks!

Who is using the new curriculum produced by LAMPa and the International Bonhoeffer Society in their congregations? What’s been your greatest learning? Where has the dialogue been the richest?

For more context on the curriculum, “Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire,” visit https://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/bonhoeffer/

Are any of your churches leaning into all things German and having an Octoberfest dinner or celebration? If so, what's your favorite German food?

Pastor Jeff Lilley, a long serving pastor primarily in the Pacifica Synod, passed away unexpectedly yesterday morning. The congregation of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Hawaii is grieving, while providing support for Jeff's wife Jeannie, and their children Seth and Meghan and family. Jeff had served this congregation for more than 16 years and was beloved both within and outside the church. Please keep his loved ones in your prayers and thoughts during this most difficult time. Information on memorial services are pending.

I am a baptized member and I didn't want to ask my pastor because this situation doesnt apply to me at all, at the very least yet, and it seems complex with many things to unpack, but I was wondering if elca churches conduct marriages between a member and someone who is not any type of Christian when requested as it is something that I want to learn but can't find much elca specific info on.

Can someone explain from an ELCA perspective what is meant by Justification? This is not a concept I grew up with but I keep running into it. Is it a fancy word for Salvation? Is it something that happens before or after salvation? Thanks for all explanations and perspectives. Feel free to point me to other resources.

I was raised LCMS and became Catholic in college; however, I feel less and less at home in the RCC and am thinking of reverting to my Lutheran roots. The thing is, I don't really agree with some of Lutheran theology. I see the Augsburg confession as a product of 16th century Germany and not some timeless dogma. My sense is that the ELCA does not really hue to the confessions all that much, at least not in the way the LCMS of my youth did. How does the ELCA view the confessions, and what about folks who suffer in their beliefs from the "official Lutheran party line"?

Are they all well? Are they short on resources? Do they plan to create new episodes again in the future? Or is it over for good?

Folks, I know this is a long shot but I'm really hoping to find a new congregation so here goes. I'm looking for a church in western Maine or northern New Hampshire. (Would rather not say exactly where I live.)

I'm a lifelong ELCA member and have been heavily involved in church choirs, council, and various volunteering things. Since moving to a small town in Maine I have been totally unable to find a church that fits my needs. Suggestions for finding a church home here? I am totally open to joining an Episcopal church too. What I love most about our ELCA tradition is liturgical worship, theology of God's grace and acceptance, concern for social justice, and rich musical tradition. I know finding a strong community that is involved in social justice and has a choir is already a big ask, but I'd also love to be part of a church with at least some younger adults -- people closer to my own life stage.

I've tried driving to congregations in faraway towns (not finding anything within a reasonable distance or worth a long commute for me... Like more than an hour), trying out the Congregational Church (lovely people and community, not kind of worship/liturgy I am seeking), and searching for churches on the ELCA website. What am I not considering? Anything? Is online worship something anyone has found fulfilling long term? And how does that work for you?

No need to tell me I'm in a sparsely-populated place, that Lutheranism is less common here than elsewhere in the US (like yeah, a small town in Minnesota would have a Lutheran church), or that our church is dwindling in membership. I am aware that moving is a solution to my problem. What should I be doing while I'm here??

ETA: Thank you all so much for your replies. I felt a little ridiculous asking for help finding a church on Reddit and you all reminded me that it's never ridiculous to turn to the church community for help. :) Some great ideas here and I am feeling encouraged.

Another Edit: anybody know about churches in/around Lewiston/Auburn? Depending on location might be a little closer for me than North Conway.

Our congregation is about half and half western European white and African American. We are looking for a liturgy that pays respect to African American heritage. Any suggestions?

I loved this service as a kid and my hometown church still does it sporadically, maybe once or twice a year(if they can get musicians to do it). I've since moved and my new church doesn't appear to do it at all.

Curious if others enjoy it as much as I do and if they still do it!

I have a persistent interest in the history of theology, and I've recently been studying a lot of Lutheranism in the period of consolidation and doctrinal orthodoxy. So, stuff like Melanchthon's Loci Communes, the systematic approach of Martin Chemnitz, the Lutheran scholastics such as Gerhard etc. I find these sort of texts fascinating, primarily because I come from a Catholic background and used to deeply appreciate the medieval scholastics. Lutheranism is often associated with the rejection of such philosophy-heavy methods in studying Christian doctrine, so it's very interesting to find people who could rival Aquinas in, say, the 17th century Protestants.

The problem is, it seems like the only people who are interested in this sort of work are the most conservative Lutherans. LCMS's Concordia Publishing is pretty much the only place where you find older Lutheran dogmatics and commentary on them, in digital book form. This wouldn't be so bad if LCMS theologians didn't so aggressively assume I share their right-wing politics and culture war against LGBT rights, feminism and, uh, evolutionary theory?? It's honestly a struggle to read this stuff as a person with far-left views. I don't think there's anything inherently right-wing/conservative about reading classic works of theology, but some people sure want to make it that way.

This leads me to progressive Lutheran bodies such as the ELCA. My impression is that theologians in this camp have the tendency of rejecting the whole period of "Lutheran orthodoxy" and focus on going back to Luther himself. Even Melanchthon is too suspicious, I guess. There's plenty of interesting work here too, but I honestly enjoy the historical stuff a lot and want to learn about it. Can you recommend anything?

Music is so inspiring to me; any kind and all kinds! Please share your current favorite song that your church sings. Mine is "Build a Boat" by Colton Dixon. On the more traditional side I love "Be Thou My Vision"

r/MainlineProtestant

One of the many things that has made me fall in love with the ELCA is the ecumenical spirit of the denomination. There are a number of full communion partners of the ELCA in the US, including the church I grew up in, the United Methodist Church. How often are there joint services with our various communion partners? For example, a pastor from one of those churches presiding at an ELCA church or an ELCA pastor presiding at a full communion partner church, or some other join arrangement for Word and Meal?

I'd really like to check out a joint service sometime to celebrate our expansive view of the body of Christ and commune with congregations in communion yet distinct from our own.

What does it mean when a church has office hours for their pastor on their website? does that mean that you can go there and talk to them? i am asking because i am anxious to attend my first lutheran service (elca) and want to meet the pastor first to introduce myself etc. it doesn’t mean they pray the hours during this time right? (that’s what dr. google thinks it means) anyway thanks in advance for any help!