Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BX
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St Anne's Lutheran Church
Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BX |
Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism as a way of life
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PREFACE to
the book Baptized, We Live
North American Lutherans were once held together by common cultures. Immigrants gathered into Lutheran churches to share the old ways. When the boats stopped coming and when Lutherans adopted American ways, Lutheran people continued to stay together to be with "those who are like we are." This cultural cement, very strong in the past, is no longer holding. Recently I heard that half of the children who grow up in Lutheran congregations leave the Lutheran Church. Now what do we do? Here are two possible responses: " Let's play down our Lutheranism and adopt ways which are succeeding in the American religious scene. This way we'll keep more of our children and attract many Americans who would otherwise go to other churches." . "The way of teaching, worshiping and living as Christians which comes from a sixteenth- century church renewal movement should continue within the beautiful diversity of the whole Christian church. Let's do it and do it well. Then let's invite people of all races, cultures and national backgrounds to join us." This booklet is an enthusiastic affirmation of the second response. This "enthusiastic affirmation" was created during a year's stay at Holden Village, a church renewal center in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. I am deeply indebted to the Holden community which surrounded me with love, support, honesty, laughter and encouragement and always held before me the theology of the cross as I worked on this project. I also give thanks to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerqe, New Mexico, for granting me a year's leave of absence to go to Holden - a year when I became more excited about being a Christian and a Lutheran, in that order. Copyright @ 1981 DanielW. Erlander |