Frequently Asked Questions

What does this church believe in?

 

We believe in and share the same Christian faith as taught by Jesus Christ and the Apostles, and as expressed by Martin Luther and the other Lutheran church fathers.  We hold Holy Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, as the inerrant and wholly inspired Word of God.  We believe the Christian faith is accurately summarized in the historical Lutheran confessions, namely:

The Ecumenical Creeds; Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian.

The Augsburg Confession

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession

The Smalcald Articles

The Formula of Concord

Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms

 

 

I know what I am when I say I’m an LCMS Lutheran, WELS Lutheran or ELCA Lutheran.  What will I be if I join an independent Lutheran congregation?

You will continue to be a Lutheran; the same as you have been!  We believe and adhere to the same doctrinal articles of faith that the Lutheran Church was founded upon; the Holy Scriptures as inerrant and wholly inspired by God and the Christian faith as demonstrated in the Lutheran articles of faith contained in the Book of Concord.  The Lutheran doctrine was established in the mid to late 1500’s, well before the modern day synods were established.  You will continue to be a Lutheran, who is a member of an independent congregation.

 

What if I have a child; what faith will they be baptized into or confirmed in?

Children and adults will continue to be baptized into the Christian faith, just as Lutherans have always done.  Our Lord instituted Holy Baptism as a Christian sacrament, not as a Lutheran ordinance.  Baptism in any synod does not convey membership in the synod.  And baptism outside of a synod does not in any way invalidate the baptism.

Likewise, confirmands are taught in the Christian faith using Luther’s Small Catechism as a brief summation of that faith.  Confirmation classes of the LCMS, WELS, ELCA and most other Lutheran congregations are taught using the same catechism.  Confirmands will publicly confess their Christian faith, as has been Lutheran practice for ages.

 

Are there successful independent Lutheran churches?

YES!  And we are one of them!  There are successful independent Lutheran congregations in every state of the country.  In fact, there are many successful independent Lutheran congregations right here in Minnesota and the Metro area.  The development of “synods” is a relatively recent (historically speaking) human institution or association.  From the earliest days of Christianity, congregations were independent, sharing a faith with other congregations, but not having any formal association.

 

How would an independent congregation Call a pastor when a vacancy occurs?

We will begin the Call process that most Lutheran congregations use.  The qualifications of a pastor and the Call process are defined in our By-Laws. In an independent congregation, all names considered are nominated by the membership.  In addition, we will not be limited to pastors from one particular synod.  Strong pastors who hold firmly to Lutheran doctrine could be called regardless of synodical affiliation.

 

Could the congregation join a synod in the future?

It will always be the prerogative of the congregation to join a synod or association if they so choose.  The By-Laws of the congregation hold this authority for the voting membership of the congregation, not to be exercised by any group or organization other than the congregation in whole.  The decision to join a synod would be an intentional process, involving prayer and examination to ensure the congregation and synod truly share the same doctrine and beliefs.

 

Is the congregation going to build its own building?

YES!  The congregation has established both Capital and Property committees to handle the work of building.  Identifying available properties, financing possibilities and location planning are items of high priority for our congregation.  A building fund has been established and is growing monthly.

Click here to read the Book of Concord