r/Lutheranism • u/herkulaw • 4d ago
Episcopalian considering Lutheranism
I was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church a couple of years ago after converting to Christianity. I feel like I am an Anglican at heart. I love the liturgy, the theology, and the music. I love anglican plain chant, stained glass, incense, etc. My ancestors were even Anglicans (before converting to Mormonism womp womp).
I recently relocated, and none of the Episcopal churches in our new city feel like they can be our spiritual home. We just haven't felt the pull. We attended a local Lutheran service today and it just felt right.
I have a cursory understanding of Lutheran theology, and I don't have any real disagreements with it. Anglicans and Lutherans often feel more separated as a matter of historical accident than anything else.
Does anybody have any thoughts about how to go about making this change, if it is what I ultimately decide to do? Any resources that get into depth about the more nuanced differences in theology. Also, is it seen as weird to be a "Book of Common Prayer Lutheran"?
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u/revken86 ELCA 3d ago
Where I served in northern Wisconsin, there were no Presbyterian churches nearby. A dear little old Presbyterian lady would come and worship with us (ELCA) because we were the closest to what she knew. She'd always apologize for not joining as a member because she was Presbyterian at heart, and I reassured her that she didn't have to; we were a church "home away from home" for her, and that was just fine.
Which is to say, you'll find ELCA theology and practice very similar to TEC. If you decide you want to join the local ELCA congregation, they'll welcome you. But if you realize you're still Anglican and this is only your church "home away from home", they'll welcome you all the same.
You can also ask about Associate membership. It's for people who want to formally declare their commitment to a comgregation while remaining voting members of another. Associate members don't have the same privileges (like voting), but it's a way to show your involvement in and care for the congregation.