Joining Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Individuals join the fellowship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in two ways.  Members of a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod congregation simply need to request a transfer from their home congregation to Good Shepherd.  Those who are not a member of a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod congregation undertake catechesis (instruction) in the teachings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church so that they may know the faith confessed at Good Shepherd by those who commune at the altar.  After undertaking catechesis, an individual is invited to join the fellowship at Good Shepherd by Profession of Faith.  Individuals from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations who have been instructed using the Small Catechism are received into membership after a review of the doctrinal differences that distinguish the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and the ELCA.

Catechesis

The word “catechesis” is based on a Greek word found in the New Testament that means “to teach.”  Good Shepherd offers Adult Catechesis for adults who are interested in learning more about the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and in joining Good Shepherd.  The focus of catechesis is the Catechism.  The Catechism is the collection of basic Christian texts that state the Christian faith and are part of the catholic (universal) heritage shared by all Christians.  The tool used in catechesis is Luther’s Small Catechism.  The Small Catechism provides simple yet profound explanations of the texts of the Catechism.  Adult Catechesis takes up the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church using the Catechism and its explanation in Luther’s Small Catechism.  Attention is also given to the ways that Jesus Christ comes to us in the Divine Service and we in turn respond in praise and thanksgiving.

Catechesis involves knowledge and information.  At the same time, it also involves habits and practices as lives are shaped and formed by God’s Word and the catholic (universal) practices that confess and teach the faith drawn from God’s Word.  Catechesis seeks to form a Christian in both profession and practice of the faith.

Adult Catechesis meets once per week.  If you are interested in beginning catechesis, please contact Pastor Surburg.