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| Home > Visitors Center > FAQ's |
| St. Paul's Visitors Center Frequently Asked Questions... Welcome to the St. Paul's Visitors Center "Frequently Asked Questions" page. On this page we'll explore a number of common questions we've received over the years related to The Lutheran Church Missiouri Synod and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Joining a Congregation Q. Could you please tell me why a person should join a congregation? Couldn't they just go to the church, give a little here and there, and do the things a member does without joining? What benefits would I have by joining a church? A. Joining a church says to the public you are a Christian, that you are a member of God's own people, who are called " a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9), and that you believe and act thus and thus as a witness to the Christian faith and as an example to others. It means that you are doing what the very first Christians did in joining together to devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). It means that you will be able to receive the encouragement, strength, prayers, baptism, the Lord's Supper and the application of God's Word from fellow Christians and a pastor, which you may not have the privilege of receiving as a non-member. It will tell other Christians and the world that you have considered it a serious matter to be able to join together with Christians to support the work of the church of calling a pastor, providing instruction in the Christian faith for the youth, adults, the older set, doing evangelism and mission work at home and abroad. It would not only witness to other people who you are and what you are about, but it would show God that what He wants of His groups of His chosen, His own people, that you are not just talking about and maybe doing half-heartedly, but are involved whole-heartedly in doing what He expects. Joining is a serious declaration that you intend--with His help--to participate fully in doing the things of God. In most congregations, only members who have joined receive the Lord's Supper, the privilege of voting, recognition by the government for tax purposes, full use of the church and other amenities. What would happen to God's church if everyone decided not to join with other Christians to BE His own people? Becoming a Member Q. What do I need to do to become a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran congregation? A. Our Pastors typically conduct a series of instruction/membership classes on a regular basis for adults who are interested in joining the congregation or learning more about what the LCMS believes. Those wishing to join St. Paul's Lutheran Church are encouraged to speak with one of the pastors of the church. For those who come from a (non-LCMS) Lutheran background, these classes serve as a kind of "refresher" course in Lutheran doctrine, and as a way of clarifying the differences between the LCMS and other Lutherans. For those coming from other denominations, these classes provide a thorough overview of the LCMS' central and foundational teachings and beliefs. Decision to Accept Q. The protestant denominations I've been in have stressed the importance of coming to the decision to "accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior." This involves praying the "Sinner's Prayer" to Jesus and acknowledging that he is the Son of God, that he died for your sins, and accepting him as your Personal Savior. The scriptures to back this up include, "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice, I will come in . . " (Rev. 3:20), and "For unless a man deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. . ." (Matthew 16:24). I've heard that Lutherans don't believe there is any decision to be made. Can you please explain this? A. Lutherans believe that all people, since the fall, are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-3). Just as a dead person cannot do or even "decide" to do anything, so a spiritually dead person cannot "decide" to become a Christian by the power of his or her own will. As Jesus says in John 15:16: "You did not choose me; but I chose you...." Conversion is solely the work of the Holy Spirit: "No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3). What may appear to be a "decision" from a human perspective is actually the result of the work of the Holy Spirit through the power of the Gospel. |