FAITH

Underpinning both study and service is faith—a confident trust in God’s promises and a reliance on God’s power. Faith is the catalyst that enables us to move beyond intellectual assent and into a lived experience of God’s presence. It empowers us to step out in obedience, even when we don’t fully understand the path ahead.

Lutheran Mosaic

As Lutherans, we believe

God adopts people solely out of God’s generosity, without any prerequisites. Humans are in no position to control or limit this generosity that we call Grace.
The calling of the Christian is to share the Good News of God’s grace, not to decide who needs it and who does not.
The person who benefits from God’s grace is called to serve the neighbor and the community. To serve is to listen attentively. To serve is to exercise the radical freedom that accompanies grace.
Christians simply do not know enough to be able to claim that they have God figured out – or even have humans figured out. Because our knowing is limited, both inter-faith and inter-religious dialogue is valuable.

Lutheran World Federation and Ecumenism

World Council of Churches

Catholic / Lutheran Agreement

The relationship between the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches has seen significant progress in ecumenical dialogue over the past decades, leading to acknowledged areas of agreement. Both Catholics and Lutherans:

Baptism

Recognize baptism as a sacrament of initiation into the Christian church.
Agree the sacrament of Baptism confers God’s grace.

Eucharist / Holy Communion

Affirm Holy Communion as a sacrament with the real presence of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Recognize the importance of the Eucharist in the life of Christ’s church so offer it each Sunday.

Confession

Affirm the need to confess our sins before receiving Holy Communion.
Offer community confession on Sunday and private confession.

Holy Trinity

Affirm the doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Jesus the Christ

Believe in Jesus Christ as fully God and fully human.
Acknowledge his saving death and resurrection.

Scripture

Recognize the authority of the Bible as God’s inspired word.

Sin and Salvation

Recognize the reality of sin and the necessity of God’s grace for salvation.
Believe that we are saved (justified) by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ.

Protestant Lutheran Full Communion

Full Communion Partners stress that Christ’s church act ecumenically for the sake of the world, not for itself alone.

This includes:
1.) a common confession of the Christian faith
2.) a mutual recognition of the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist allowing for joint worship
3.) a common commitment to evangelism, witness and service

United Methodist Church
To read a brief history of this full communion partnership, click here.

Presbyterian Church (USA)
To read a brief history of this full communion partnership, click here.

The Episcopal Church
To read a brief history of this full communion partnership, click here.

United Church of Christ
To read a brief history of this full communion partnership, click here.

What Does “Full Communion Mean?”

Spiritual But Not Religious

The phrase “spiritual but not religious” (SBNR) has become increasingly prevalent in contemporary society. It reflects a shift in how many people perceive and engage with concepts of spirituality and organized religion. Interestingly, Jesus may have been viewed as “spiritual but not religious” by the religious leaders in his time as his focus was on an experiential spirituality, living in God’s grace, rather than the dogmatic adherence to the laws and regulations of the Pharisees and Scribes.

Understanding “Spiritual But Not Religious”

Core Concepts:

SBNR individuals often prioritize personal experiences, inner peace, and a sense of connection to something larger than themselves.
Emphasis is placed on individual autonomy and freedom in exploring spiritual beliefs and practices.
Often there is a distrust of organized religion, that is viewed as dogmatic, or hypocritical.

Relationship to Christian Faith Traditions

Points of Intersection:

Christianity, at its core, emphasizes a personal relationship with God, which resonates with SBNR values.
Christianity incorporates contemplative practices, such as prayer and meditation, which align with SBNR interest in inner exploration. Check out the links below for more on this important topic.
Christian congregations focus on developing discipleship by focusing on service, and community, over strict doctrinal adherence.

Key Considerations

The relationship between SBNR and Christian faith traditions is complex and evolving.
Understanding this phenomenon requires sensitivity and a willingness to engage in respectful dialogue.

We are very excited to engage in respectful dialogue with you