is a Biblical requirement for Christians (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:19-20, et al) that in the best of conditions should unify believers (Ephesians 4:5. Not everyone comes to faith or to Baptism at the same point in life. Consequently, at LCR we practice and recognize both believer’s baptism and infant baptism as biblically valid. Infant baptism is reserved for situations where parents, guardians or other close family members are committed to bringing the child to worship, to the sacraments, and to faith formation programs so that they are prepared to affirm their baptismal promises at an age of understanding. Due to the restrictions of our present facilities, our baptisms are usually accomplished by pouring water over the head at a baptismal font rather than by full-body immersion. We believe God’s grace and Holy Spirit are poured out in abundance regardless of how wet we get. However, if you desire full immersion it can be arranged.
is a term for the money that our church sends beyond our walls to our missional and denominational partners to accomplish cool things for in the name of Jesus that we couldn't do on our own. Because Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is affiliated denominationally with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and because we recognize tithing as the Biblical benchmark for faithful giving, we strive to send a total of 10% of our Sunday offerings to the ELCA and other partners for ministry in our communities and around the world.
is an optional opportunity the church provides for baptized persons (typically 9th -graders) to publicly 'confirm' their faith in Jesus Christ, affirming the promises that they or their parents made at their baptism. At Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, the Sunday morning “Here We Stand” program provides the baseline of the curriculum, supplemented by other service requirements and spiritual commitments.
An elected board of leaders. Our council members are men and women elected to a maximum of two 2-year terms, from a list of nominations submitted by worshippers and a nominating team. Council members must be believers of solid character, including commitment to worship, prayerfulness, discernment, discretion, and vision
is a Biblical and traditional church term not used at LCR. . It comes from the Koine Greek word for service, diakonia. At LCR, though, since nearly all worshippers are involved in some sort of weekly or regular service to Jesus (in the church or outside the church in the world), we'd have to call 75% of the church 'deacon', and that just seems silly!
is one of the two sacraments recognized by the Lutheran Church (the other being baptism.) The term Eucharist comes from the Greek root, eucharisto which means, literally, I give thanks. Since we believe a grateful church is a healthy church, we 'celebrate the Eucharist' each week, the better to remember and give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice, per Jesus' command (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians11:23-25) At Lutheran Church of the Resurrection we practice “Open Communion,” meaning that it is open to anyone who has, or desires to begin, a personal relationship with Jesus. We offer both wine and grape juice, a common cup and individual cups, and both bread and wafers.
is the part of many churches' worship services where people say, sing or do similar things week after week. In reality, even supposedly non-liturgical churches tend to do similar things every week: opening worship songs, announcements, teaching message and dismissal for example, and that's not bad. At some level most of us are creatures of habit, and the predictability of certain parts of worship allows the structure to fade into the background so that the God we worship doesn't! It also allows all of us to participate confidently in worship, since we know what's coming. In fact, leiturgia means work of the people in Greek. Our worship follows a pattern, but we try hard not to get into a rut, and it often varies from season to season.
at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is not required in order to be an active part of our life together. While there are low barriers to worshipping and getting involved, there are higher expectations for membership, such as worshipping regularly with the community, serving, contributing financially, etc).
is the gathering space right outside sanctuary doors. In an office building you might call it a “lobby.”
of financial donations are collected at all Christian churches as part of a disciple's faith walk with the Lord, but they also include offerings of our time and our talents as well as our treasure. Bringing offerings is part of how we worship God—and we do it with a joyful heart and gratitude for all that God has first given us. Monetary offerings can be placed in the collection plate during worship, mailed in or handled by bank transfer as well as via our website.
is the church's act of setting apart certain church leaders in a spiritual, organizational, and legal way. Resurrection’s ordained staff member is The Rev. Alix D. Pridgen (ELCA). Other ordained pastors are also members or worshippers and serve in a non-staff capacity.
is the large room set apart for worship. Ours is shaped like the hull of a long ship, with a wooden ceiling that looks like a ship’s keel and supporting ribs (a holdover from our Scandinavian roots.) At the end of the nave (seating area), on the East wall, is the chancel (elevated space up front) where the altar/communion table is located. In our sanctuary there are three focal points: the reading desk/pulpit/lectern where scripture is read; the Baptismal font, and the communion table/altar with the large cross that reminds us that it is the life of Christ which we receive in our sacred meal
is the term for the innate talents and spirit-developed gifts that believers in Jesus Christ share for the glory of God, the up-building of the Church, and the personal development of the believer. Spiritual gifts are found listed in scripture in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, et al.
is the name of the regional church judicatories within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It comes from the Greek words for 'with' and 'road'-- syn & odos-- meaning travelling companions (on the journey of faith). Lutheran Church of the Resurrection travels with the ELCA's Central States Synod, headquartered in Kansas City, KS.
is the term for offering God 10% of our income--the Biblical benchmark for sacrificial faithfulness since the time of the Old Testament patriarchs. Church members are encouraged to reach a full tithe in giving within three years of joining the congregation. Many disciples are so excited to walk with Christ that they become tithers right away, but for others, previous obligations make a change in priorities take longer. We just figure that if Jesus could lead non-religious regular guys to lay down their lives for the Gospel after three years of walking with him, comfortable Johnson County believers within 3 years can certainly give up some luxuries and other sacrifices to live on 90 cents instead of a dollar!