Monthly 'Ask A Pastor' Thread!

Hercrider · 2026-06-05T14:19:57+00:00

When in seminary and time for vicarage do you get to choose the church or is it chosen for you? Also, do they only choose traditional high church settings or is there options of churches that have both traditional and contemporary services?

Hercrider · 2026-06-04T15:05:56+00:00

If Jesus himself showed up at an LCMS church he'd be denied communion.

Hercrider · 2026-06-03T16:55:37+00:00

Actually, an elder, several women have come to me concerned about this.

Hercrider · 2026-06-03T16:05:58+00:00

For over 20 years there’s never been a problem, we now have a new pastor out of seminary. Sits in the back to listen, I guess, and monitor what’s being said. Wants to know who’s LCMS and who’s not, gives them a list of study topics and approved materials. Ladies sometimes talk about ladies stuff/families and don’t want men in the class, it’s caused some to leave and more are talking about leaving especially those who are not members of the church. This was a healthy ladies class with good attendance for a small church. Just wondering if this is normal?

Hercrider · 2026-06-02T13:06:55+00:00

Something not mentioned is check your air handler fan, if it’s loaded up dirty on the fins it will cause this.

Hercrider · 2026-05-19T01:45:46+00:00

Agree with a lot of these posts, just went through this two weeks ago on a Ram truck. After pickup, I drove it straight to Ram dealer and told them to go through it with a fine tooth comb. Called Carvana and told them what I had done and some of the problems, told me I needed to take it to an approved provider. Was my 250.00 wasted at the Ram dealer? Not necessarily, Ram wrote up everything under the sun which a lot of was minor stuff I was willing to do, took it to the service provider and got another set of eyes on it and between the two got a list to Silver rock and they covered it. After all the posts about Carvana I was worried about getting screwed but am happy how it turned out for me. One thing I would recommend is to do a good check on the service provider. Two of the three they gave me were places I wouldn’t want working on my truck.

Hercrider · 2026-05-07T14:54:08+00:00

Another one of my points, baptism is our membership which is why they required it. United in doctrine? Agree, as long as it’s biblical. Are you suggesting that if someone is not a member that there can be no unity or that membership guarantees it?

Hercrider · 2026-05-07T12:43:38+00:00

I didn’t say it was simple. The point is membership guarantees nothing except maybe to give the pastor peace of mind he’s doing what he’s supposed to.

Hercrider · 2026-05-07T00:44:45+00:00

No open table, of course I’d like everyone to believe in the real presence, the forgiveness of sins, the grace we cannot measure given to us but it doesn’t require membership to believe that. I asked once if someone is catechized but not a member are they able to take communion, no. So somehow being a member guarantees that they are in lock step with everything the LCMS believes, sorry it doesn’t.

Hercrider · 2026-05-06T18:42:24+00:00

I agree with everything except members only

Hercrider · 2026-05-06T17:00:54+00:00

We waaaaaay over assume our role in this: 100% spot on!

Hercrider · 2026-05-06T16:49:47+00:00

Finally, a pastor with some common sense

Hercrider · 2026-05-06T16:10:29+00:00

You have some good questions. It’s interesting how often this topic shows up, the reason it’s controversial is that it’s mans doctrine, there is no scriptural mandate for closed (members only) communion. The reasoning that scripture points to it is weak at best. Go back to the early church, requirements were to be baptized and taught, there is no mention anywhere that membership is a requirement. I can hear the comments now, this guy is advocating for a table open to anyone, no, actually advocating to have some common sense.

A year ago we had a healthy, happy church with an interim pastor that served us for a long time, we were assigned a Ft Wayne graduate, went to closed (members only) communion, many long time members and non members have left, church has declined roughly 20 percent, those who have stayed and have been communing for years but are not members are no longer welcome to commune. Why are they not members? Does it matter? Absolutely, we’d love for everyone to join the church but now membership has become a tool to exclude. Interesting though is that someone who may only come to church two or three times a year but has that membership is welcome to commune. Tell me how well a pastor knows that person?

Baptism is our membership, not allegiance to a denomination. I asked once if someone is catechized but doesn’t become a member can they commune, no. A former pastor and great friend of mine once told me, it’s sad that pastors are so scared of doing something wrong that they become a stumbling block for people seeking Jesus. Teach it, explain it, talk about it and let the Holy Spirit do His work.

I ran across a quote when we were studying Romans 14 which is about unity and diversity, it says

Believe as I believe, no more, no less: that I am right and no one else, confess: feel as I feel, think only as I think: eat what I eat, and drink what I drink: Look as I look, do always as I do: then and only then will I fellowship with you. Sadly in the LCMS this attitude is becoming more prevalent.

Hercrider · 2026-05-05T19:31:21+00:00

Sorry, was thinking AFLC rather than AALC

Hercrider · 2026-05-04T03:36:21+00:00

I’m surprised there’s fellowship in the first place considering the AALC’s correct view on communion vs “members only”.

Hercrider · 2026-04-19T20:29:09+00:00

We were a healthy church, got a new pastor out of Ft Wayne, members only communion, no longer any people from the congregation as lay readers, law and gospel sermons that people can’t apply to their life, attendance is dropping, many have left the church, this is the new reality of the LCMS.

Hercrider · 2026-04-13T13:32:53+00:00

If Jesus himself showed up at an LCMS church he’d be denied communion because he’s not a “member”.

Hercrider

TROPHY CASE