***In the pews! Also, we have two services going on simultaneously - one in the traditional sanctuary and that is where the pews are situated. The other service is held in our activity center since it holds a much larger number of people. The seats are chairs we put up and take down. Bibles are in portable racks and you grab one as you walk in, along with the bulletin which greeters will hand you.***
Commendable. LCMS folks are often more Catholic than Catholics for much of the faith. The only thing with Bibles in the pews is that it might take away from the liturgy. Otherwise, you guys are right on.
***I happen to attend an awesome church that goes against the grain. The Synod has spent a lot of time studying us because of our growth.***
Unfortunately (because we are so close), the LCMS is losing numbers at an even greater rate than ELCA. If you can turn the tide, that’d be good; I’m not sure that you can.
Frankly, I am sad that many of the older traditional denoms are losing people; not just the LCMS but the Roman Catholic churches as well. Locally, they are closing up several RC churches for lack of money, people, AND priests.
I have no quarrel with many, many non-denom churches, but one of the excellent points the Catholics on here often make is the host of off-the-wall “so-called” Christian churches that pop up constantly. Good example of this is the One-ness Pentecostals (and they aren’t even new).
I am not surprised, incidentally, that the ELCA is losing membership, primarily because they are so liberal.