I am a recovering Catholic having attended a Lutheran-Lite (ELCA) church in SE Michigan for the past 7+ years. The experience has been extraordinary because of progressive tendencies fueled by beer and critical thinking about Scripture with a dollop of humor ( I interpret these three ingredients as decidedly Lutheran) Today we continued our weekly Bible study proctored by an avowed atheist who loves Jesus. Our study of John provided me a necessary antidote to an overdose of national news. On the way out I stepped in the church office to share my gratitude for our community -- believers here not afraid to express frustration during these days when Christian nationalism has been normalized. Where else in churchville could I exclaim out loud: "Well, God wins in the end, so STFU!" and not be considered a condemned reprobate. "Put that sign out front," someone said.
Openness. There are no guardrails limiting inquiry/discussion. At the same time we’ll be free to say “no” or “not yet” or “beats me.”or, “we need to talk/wrestle with that.”
I am a recovering Catholic having attended a Lutheran-Lite (ELCA) church in SE Michigan for the past 7+ years. The experience has been extraordinary because of progressive tendencies fueled by beer and critical thinking about Scripture with a dollop of humor ( I interpret these three ingredients as decidedly Lutheran) Today we continued our weekly Bible study proctored by an avowed atheist who loves Jesus. Our study of John provided me a necessary antidote to an overdose of national news. On the way out I stepped in the church office to share my gratitude for our community -- believers here not afraid to express frustration during these days when Christian nationalism has been normalized. Where else in churchville could I exclaim out loud: "Well, God wins in the end, so STFU!" and not be considered a condemned reprobate. "Put that sign out front," someone said.
Openness. There are no guardrails limiting inquiry/discussion. At the same time we’ll be free to say “no” or “not yet” or “beats me.”or, “we need to talk/wrestle with that.”
And, let’s try making lefsa😊!