This page is just some info on the Lutheran Church that we have been attending near our village. We don't know a great deal about the Lutheran Church in Germany or how it might vary from church to church or region to region so this is just about ours. We'll be adding more to this as well as pictures in the near future.

The reason we are currently attending a Lutheran Church is that there are very few options in our region other than Catholic. Also, we have enjoyed the music and trying to following the messages (our German is not yet good enough to get a firm grasp of the messages). We also find the people and the pastor very nice.

It's interesting to note that there is a current shortage of pastors here. Our pastor has two different churches and told us that some pastors in north Germany have 15 to 20 churches! They way it works in our area is that the two churches are in two small villages and the services usually alternate between one town and the next (except on special occasions when it is in both). Most people don't seem to travel to the next village but appear to go to their local church every other week (the villages are about a half mile apart and the church are about a mile apart). Although there is a significant shortage of pastors here it looks like it will be getting a lot worse as the seminaries here are pretty empty and tend to be liberal.

Here are some observations of how it varies from our evangelical churches in southern Cal.

• Jesus is on the crucifix (like the Catholic churches). In most evangelical churches there is a cross but no image of Jesus on the cross which emphasizes the resurrection rather than the death of Christ.

• They perform infant baptism.

• Almost all of the music comes from a hymn book (though some are song from memory). We really like these hymns!

• Most prayers offered during the services are written and read from a book (rather than impromptu).

• In each service there is a recitation of the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed.

• The pulpit is higher and slightly further away from the congregation. It is also, traditionally, more ornate. (Pictures will help and we'll post some in the near future).

• The pastor wear a black robe and a white collar/tie. It looks similar to the traditional garb of the pilgrims on Thanksgiving drawings for children.

• Both churches have a very ornate organ. Interestingly, the organist never leaves her seat throughout the service. Her back is actually to the pastor and congregation but she can see what's going on through a rear-view mirror.

• Although we haven't been there during one of these services, they also have women pastors who perform all regular duties.

• I don't know if there is more in the village but there seems to be a tradition of going to a seat but before sitting down, to stop and bow your head and offer prayer, before sitting down again.

• The services last about an hour. About the sermons, our German is not yet good enough to offer an educated evaluation.

Please e-mail (bj@heybhouse.com) if you have any questions. Thanks!!