Skrade Kristofer - Lutheran Handbook : a Field Guide to Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff, and the Bible

The Lutheran Handbook

About Winking Luther

Martin Luthers theology is grounded in paradoxessinner/saint, law/gospel, hidden/revealedand illuminated by a down-to-earth, everyday sense of humor. This icon of Luther winking at the reader combines the serious, formal scholarship that was his lifes work with the humor and lightheartedness that characterized his personality.

The wink on Luthers face indicates that even though theology is serious stuff, we should nonetheless remember that it is not our theology that saves us, but Jesus Christ. Therefore, our life in the church can be buoyant, and our theological wranglings can be done with a sense of humor and love for our neighbor.

The Lutheran Handbook

THE LUTHERAN HANDBOOK

Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write to: Permissions, Augsburg Fortress, Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440.

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Pages 196227: The contemporary translation of Luthers Small Catechism, by Timothy J. Wengert, is copyright 1996 Augsburg Fortress.

Pages 196227: Quotations from Luthers Works, vol. 50, copyright 1975 Fortress Press, and vol. 51, copyright 1959 Fortress Press.

Pages 202213: The English translations of the Apostles Creed and the Lords Prayer are prepared by the International Consultation on English Texts (ICET), copyright 1970, 1971, and 1975.

Pages 218221: The service of Individual Confession and Forgiveness is reprinted from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright 1978.

Pages 6775: Sources for the charts include reference materials from Information Please, New York Times Public Library/Hyperion, Rose Publishing, Time-Life, and Wadsworth Group/Thomas Learning.

Content editor: Kristofer Skrade

Cover design: Diana Running

Production editors: Ivy Palmer and James Satter

Interior illustrations: Brenda Brown

Contributing writers: Suzanne Burke, Lou Carlozo, Giacomo Cassese, Mark Gardner, Wes Halula, Sarah Henrich, Mark Hinton, Sue Houglum, Rolf Jacobson, Susan M. Lang, Andrea Lee, Daniel Levitin, Terry Marks, Catherine Malotky, Jeffrey S. Nelson, Rebecca Ninke, Eliseo Prez-lvarez, Dawn Rundman, Jonathan Rundman, Ted Schroeder, Ken Sundet Jones, Hans Wiersma

eISBN 978-1-4514-0321-3

ISBN 0-8066-5179-2

CONTENTS

Charts and Diagrams

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(portrait)

(map)

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Maps and Diagrams

Please Be Advised:

Lots of books, pamphlets, and booklets have been written through the centuries as companions for average folks who wanted help navigating their way through a complicated subject. The Boy Scout Handbook comes to mind, for example. So do The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook, Tune and Repair Your Own Piano: A Practical and Theoretical Guide to the Tuning of All Keyboard Stringed Instruments, and National Audubon Societys Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. They stand as testimony to the average persons need for a guide to both the vast truths and complex detail that make up a particular area of interest. These books turn complicated, inaccessible ideas into simple, easy-to-understand concepts, and, if necessary, into action steps that are easy to follow.

Likewise, The Lutheran Handbook follows this format. Here, you will discover a combination of reliable, historical, and theological information alongside some fun facts and very practical tips on being a churchgoing follower of Jesus Christ, all presented in that oh-so-Lutheran, down-to-earth, tongue-in-cheek sort of way.

You will also discover that this book is intended for learning and enjoyment. (Some Lutherans have trouble doing the latter until theyve first suffered through the former.) Its meant to spur conversation, to inform and edify, and to make you laugh. Think of the book as a comedian with a dry sense of humor and a degree in theology. It can be used in the classroom with students or at the dinner table with family or in solitude.

But however you use it, use it! Weve cut the corners off so you can throw it in your backpack or stuff it in a pocket. Its printed on paper that accepts either ink or pencil nicely, so feel free to write and highlight in it (and theres room for notes in the back). The cover is this fancy, nearly indestructible stuff that will last forever too, so dont worry about spilling soda pop or coffee on it. Weve even heard it can sustain a direct hit from a nuclear missile.

Anyway, the point is this: Being a follower of Jesus is hard enough without having to navigate the faith journeylet alone the maze of church cultureall alone. Sooner or later everyone needs a companion.

THE EDITORS

Every well-prepared Lutheran should have a basic understanding of Lutheran teachings and where they came from.

Plus, since every church goes about worship in a slightly different way, it might take a little time to get the hang of thingsespecially if youre new to a congregation.

This section includes:

Essential facts about the Lutheran faith. (If you know these things, youll know more than most.)

Practical advice for singing hymns, taking communion, and getting to know the people in your congregation.

Hints for enjoying worshipeven when youre having a bad day.

Pastors play an important role in the daily life of your congregation and the community. Despite their churchly profession, fancy robes, and knowledge of Greek, pastors experience the same kinds of ups and downs as everyone else. They value member efforts to meet, connect with, and support them.

Connect with your pastor after worship.

After the worship service, join others in line to shake the pastors hand. Sharing a comment about the sermon, readings, or hymns lets the pastor know that his or her worship planning time is appreciated. If your congregation doesnt practice the dismissal line, find other ways to make that personal connection.

Pray daily for your pastor, because he or she doesnt just work on Sunday.

Your pastor has many responsibilities, like visiting members in the hospital, writing sermons, and figuring out who can help drain the flooded church basement. In your prayers, ask God to grant your pastor health, strength, and wisdom to face the many challenges of leading a congregation.

Ask your pastor to share with you why he or she entered ordained ministry.

There are many reasons why a pastor may have enrolled in seminary to become an ordained minister. Be prepared for a story that may surprise you.

Stop by your pastors office to talk, or consider making an appointment to get to know him or her.

Pastors welcome the opportunity to connect with church members at times other than worship. As you would with any drop-in visit, be sensitive to the fact that your pastor may be quite busy. A scheduled appointment just to chat could provide a welcome break in your pastors day.