u/ToeFinal1792

I have been going through education classes and last week we had a class on the Lords Supper. After class was over, the pastor told me if I wanted, since I completed that part of my education, I could partake in Communion at the next Service.

I see what the official standards are and that they allow a pastor to determine if the person is ready or not as a Catechumen.

How common is it for a pastor to make this exception?

I trust his judgement, obviously, but I was not expecting it, and it took me by surprise a little. He said it was completely up to me so now I have to decide. I fully intend to be confirmed. Did anyone else have this happen to them?

I am probably overthinking this.

EDIT: Thank you for the responses. I spent all day yesterday wondering why I was hesitant to do this, and it occurred to me that whenever a person is on the proper path, dark forces do everything they can to keep you from going forward, using every opportunity to pull you away from that path, placing small obstacles in the way that add up over the days.

Ever since the pastor offered, my entire week has been heavy, trying to convince me I should postpone and wait. It has been one of the "worst" weeks I have had since I started attending my LCMS church trying to make me feel I should wait. I am not going to let that happen. Evil does not want me to receive this gift from God, to receive this salvific grace of Christ, to strengthen my faith. It wants me to fail. As the saying goes, "Not today, Satan!"

Our church website has not been kept up to date and needs a better look. I spoke with the pastor and asked if I could look into modernizing our website to make it more appealing and start keeping it up to date. He said I could, but I have very little knowledge of how to do so.

I have looked at multiple options, but I am not certain exactly what we need. I see so many churches with fantastic websites and know it helps having something like that when people are looking for a church. When looking for a local church, I was underwhelmed by our webpage, so I imagine many others see it and keep looking. Yes, I know it is only something to draw attention and how the church operates is what is most important, but I would like to see a few people show up now and again and say they saw us online. It at least gets them through the door.

I know we have a YouTube and Facebook page I would like to attach, but I would also like to make it user friendly and appealing to anyone who is searching online.

We are a small parish so expensive options are not a reality and if the cost is not too bad, I plan to pay for it myself. I thought I would post to see if anyone has had experience in doing this in the past or is currently doing it and could pass on any gained wisdom or what platforms are best.

We currently have an old WordPress powered site, but no one seems to know how to access it, so that could also be a problem with transitioning to a different platform.

EDIT: Thank you for all of the great replies! It's a little overwhelming, but I am committed to get it done. I just need to get started. I will probably talk to the pastor this weekend about it. We are doing VBS this week and he is a little busy. Thank you, again!

https://preview.redd.it/aljijny8m49h1.png?width=909&format=png&auto=webp&s=dbcfb4719013334121a0ea53a48727e10c8b914f

Not sure why, but sometimes I will yell out cadence for no reason at all.

I start classes on the 28th. Right now, I know there is at least one other person who will be there.

What should I do to prepare and get the most out of these classes?

Other than the Small Catechism and an ESV translation Bible, is there any other materials I will need?

EDIT: I forgot to mention I also (thanks to someone here) found a used Lutheran Study Bible.

https://preview.redd.it/4gspm6owxn5h1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=9fae8c116dcaaa0bddf45aa5a448ec9856655723

Hi!

I am looking for recommendations for myself (inquiring about Lutheranism/former Catholic) and my wife (Baptist) to a do Bible study(ies) together.

We prefer the more tangible type with books over podcasts and videos, though videos added in would not be an issue. I know they range from topic and length and thought we could start off with something shorter.

The goal is of course to learn more, but to do it together. Something that may motivate us to pull out our Study Bibles, research and discuss.

I have looked online and perhaps it's just algorithm bias, but everything I have found for couples is focused on, well, couples.

I have done a lot of study on my own, but now I want to do it with her. I looked at LCMS resources and much of it seems to be in "download" format, not actual books to use.

I posted last week about leaving Catholicism and looking into the LCMS. I have watched a ton of videos, listened to some podcasts, researched online, went to an LCMS parish for Divine Service last week and plan to visit another LCMS parish a little further away next Sunday.

I have a few questions.

First, in the Catholic Church anyone can go through RCIA without any commitment simply to learn more about the Catholic Church. Is the LCMS the same? If so, do I simply speak with the pastor to start? I feel that would most likely be the place I would learn the most. Also, is this in person, online, or a combination? I know it can take several months, which is not a problem. I just want to learn.

Second, is the Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (2nd Ed.) the same as the Book of Concord, but with more information? From what I can tell it has several things contained in the same book so I would not have to get multiple items, just the one.

Third, I was looking at The Lutheran Study Bible, Large Print (eyes are not so great these days), Leather, Sangria, but apparently when people purchase them, they keep them because I could not find a used copy. I also could not find any discount sales. Where is the best place to buy one for the best price? I am just trying to be smart with my money in todays economy.

Good morning. I realize it's a Sunday and many people are not around to respond at the moment, but I am interested in learning a bit more about the LCMS.

Background: I grew up Baptist (mostly Independent but also Southern). As an adult I became Catholic, but with the direction the Catholic Church has been headed these last several years (I don't want to get into specifics) I stopped going late last year. My wife is Baptist and I sometimes visit her church as well as a friend from work who is also Baptist.

I guess I am just looking for anything you are willing to provide regarding theology, practice, beliefs, etc. For instance, in Baptist churches some are Calvinist while others are Arminian. How does the LCMS Mass differ from Catholicism? How are they similar? How does it compare to Baptists. Anything along these lines would help.

I miss the structure of the Catholic Church, being one of the reasons I am researching Lutheranism, but I also realize the LCMS is more "conservative" in its approach to worship and that is where my interest is.

There are several ELCA churches near me, but I have no interest in those, no offense to anyone. I just know what I am looking for and it is not there. I also know the WELS exists, but there are none close enough for me to look into. I finally found a LCMS church near me and just want to get some information ahead of time before I visit.

I am not looking for debate or an attempt to convince me something else is a better option. I really am just interested in the LCMS at this time and doing research. The last thing I want to do is jump into something and regret it later. It is hard enough to leave the Catholic Church as it is and I am simply looking for a new, and hopefully lasting, home.

Good morning. I realize it's a Sunday and many people are not around to respond at the moment, but I am interested in learning a bit more about the LCMS.

Background: I grew up Baptist (mostly Independent but also Southern). As an adult I became Catholic, but with the direction the Catholic Church has been headed these last several years (I don't want to get into specifics) I stopped going late last year. My wife is Baptist and I sometimes visit her church as well as a friend from work who is also Baptist.

I guess I am just looking for anything you are willing to provide regarding theology, practice, beliefs, etc. For instance, in Baptist churches some are Calvinist while others are Arminian. How does the LCMS Mass differ from Catholicism? How are they similar? How does it compare to Baptists. Anything along these lines would help.

I miss the structure of the Catholic Church, being one of the reasons I am researching Lutheranism, but I also realize the LCMS is more "conservative" in its approach to worship and that is where my interest is.

There are several ELCA churches near me, but I have no interest in those, no offense to anyone. I just know what I am looking for and it is not there. I also know the WELS exists, but there are none close enough for me to look into. I finally found a LCMS church near me and just want to get some information ahead of time before I visit.

I am not looking for debate or an attempt to convince me something else is a better option. I really am just interested in the LCMS at this time and doing research. The last thing I want to do is jump into something and regret it later. It is hard enough to leave the Catholic Church as it is and I am simply looking for a new, and hopefully lasting, home.

https://preview.redd.it/m3tb8o4uqqyg1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=73f92af1257663828916ca1f1251c06000d539f7