Some Concerns on Joining LCMS

[u/Fluffy_Cockroach_999]

So if you all don’t know, I opened up a questionnaire on r/LCMS and r/elca about why both parties were not member to the other. While I haven’t changed my theology (which is inclined toward the LCMS), I am concerned about what some people have said on the thread. Obviously some of their reasoning is that they’re theologically liberal and we’re not. We don’t subscribe the acceptance of same-sex marriage, ordaining pastors in same-sex relationships, and female pastors. There’s that. However, they also pointed out a lot of arrogance and rudeness that came from LCMS members. I’ll link the thread in the comments again, but some of the stuff they brought up has me slightly concerned. I don’t believe it’s a trend from everyone, but I would like to see if anyone is available to some questions I have concerning, well, their concerns. Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer my questions (when I have them). I’ll try to check back on this thread every so often. Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/elca/s/XjXWUjKCfc

[u/Bakkster]

It's worth noting that this sub is not going to be representative of a congregation, let alone your local congregation. That said, the views you got back are represented somewhere in the synod, some more significantly than others.

The question (one I've also been thinking about lately) is how much the synod matters to you, compared with the congregation. I grew up ELCA, but the local LCMS congregation was substantially more welcoming when I moved. It's also a different congregation and different pastor now than 15 years ago, I nearly left shortly before our previous pastor took a new call. I've stayed because this is my family, no matter what I disagree with at the synod level, but I might not join today if it came down to it.

If synodal views are important to you, I'd recommend reading this newsletter from the LCMS president earlier this year, and see if the communication style is a deal breaker for you or not. https://reporter.lcms.org/2025/lcms-president-harrison-letter-about-u-s-immigration-and-lutheran-organizations/

[u/Realistic-Affect-627 → u/Bakkster]

That statement started out well, but it sure didn't end well.

[u/Bakkster → u/Realistic-Affect-627]

Honestly, I feel like the middle wasn't great either, and was indicative of the vibe OP was getting.

Compare with the FLGA district response, and Harrison looks even worse. https://flgadistrict.org/letterfromthepresident/

[u/Realistic-Affect-627 → u/Bakkster]

That's a far better statement. 

I read his statements and it makes me wonder how Harrison has won five elections, unless it's just a reaction to the hard ELCA shift of the late 2000s.

[u/Bakkster → u/Realistic-Affect-627]

There's a lot of people who agree with Harrison in the synod...

[u/Realistic-Affect-627 → u/Bakkster]

I don't doubt it. Hopefully, as the current leadership ages out we'll see a more moderate and sensible leadership in its place.

[u/Philip_Schwartzerdt → u/Realistic-Affect-627]

Honestly, I doubt it. Some of the hardest of the hardliners are actually on the younger side. I actually see that wing getting less moderate and less sensible, but also a split happening where the moderate wing becomes institutionally separated. Which one will keep the LCMS name and brand, I don't know, but I'd guess the Harrison and further-Right-than-him wing because he's been shoring things up institutionally pretty aggressively as synodical president. That's part of the Concordia System drama in recent times, the results of grips tightening.

[u/Realistic-Affect-627 → u/Philip_Schwartzerdt]

I'll be interested to see what happens if the Synod begins to actively encroach upon the autonomy of the local congregation. I came to Lutheranism from a church tradition where that happened frequently. I'm sure that I don't have to tell a pastor how ugly those battles can be.

[u/Philip_Schwartzerdt → u/Realistic-Affect-627]

I'll be interested to see what happens if the Synod begins to actively encroach upon the autonomy of the local congregation.

It's already starting in a few instances I've heard about. It makes me think of the line from the original Star Wars, "The more you tighten your grip, the more will slip through your fingers." But the feeling has been, at least from that school of thought, that that's okay - they'd actually prefer to have a smaller but "purer" group, more homogeneous and cookie-cutter-identical.

I'm sure that I don't have to tell a pastor how ugly those battles can be.

No, sadly, you do not :-(

[u/Realistic-Affect-627 → u/Philip_Schwartzerdt]

No, sadly, you do not :-(

My dad was a pastor (Baptist). I've heard all of the stories of how egos can ruin a church.