Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 6/24/2007

Question
Hello,
i am a baptist and i have too ask a question.My churches youth minister is about too leave our church.so i want too try a new church because the youth at my church are not nice at all.so i live across a lutheran church and i suggested it too my father,but he said no and that i was a baptist,not a lutheran.what is the big difference between baptists and lutheran beliefs?

Answer
Hello Colin,
Thank you for your question. Although there are significant differences between Baptist and Lutheran Churches it is also true that each individual church has its own uniqueness so anything I tell you will not be the whole story by any means.
Baptists beleive that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of someone who has personal faith in Jesus Christ. Lutherans believe that Baptism is something administered by the church to people including children too young to understand as parents can have faith on behalf of their children.
Each Baptist Church is independent and seeks to follow God's way as the people under the guidance of the leadership make decisions. Although we often affiliate to wider bodies they have little actual authority. Lutherans give a greater measure of authority to the wider denominational structures and to the ministers.
The vast majority of Baptist churches are evangelical (that is they believe the bible to be utterly reliable in all things). Some Lutheran churches take a more liberal view to the bible.
Having said all this both groups believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone. In both denominations some churches are quite formal and others quite informal, some lively in worship and some not. It varies considerably.
I am sorry that you are having a tough time at your church but I would encourage you not to make hasty decisions. Church is not just something that we attend but something that we are a living part of. It is easy to assume that things will be easier elsewhere but that often is not the case. We need to be committed fully to our part on the whole body and ask not so much what we get out of church but what we can give.
Nevertheless is can sometimes be right to move to another church.
I pray that God will give you great wisdom and help you seek good advice.
May God bless you.
Stuart Woodward