You might be in a pietistically-compromised conservative former ELCA congregation if...

Rev. Tom Chryst at Preachrblog pubiished this lista couple of years ago under the title, "You Might Be Under the Influence of Evangelicalism If:).

Given the pietistic contamination of what seems to be most of the conservative former ELCA congregations making up the NALC and the LCMC- the church bodies which split off from the ELCA after the latter officially equated sodomy with Holy Matrimony a few years ago- it seemed to be that it might be time to post this list again, only with a new title.

YOU MIGHT BE IN A PIETISTICALLY-COMPROMISED CONSERVATIVE FORMER ELCA CONGREGATION IF:

You believe it's possible to be “Christian First, Lutheran Second”

You would rather have lunch with Rick Warren than C.F.W. Walther

You believe the Great Commission is the central point of Christian teaching

You think that many Lutherans are too concerned about doctrine

You've ever called someone a pharisee for defending a point of biblical teaching

You think that different Christian teachings needlessly offend people

You prefer to say “close” rather than “closed” communion (but practice open communion; see the next item-REW)

Your idea of close communion means that Christians from other denominations are probably “close enough”

You say things like, “we've just gotta get the young people involved at church”

You don't see why an organ is more appropriate in church than a drum set

You prefer Group Publishing to CPH

You prefer Youth Specialties to Higher Things

You prefer Focus on the Family over Issues, Etc.

You think churches that are shrinking in size MUST be doing something very wrong

or

You think churches that are growing in size MUST be doing something very right

You think Lutherans believe “pretty much the same” as non-Lutherans

You think crucifixes and private confession are “too Catholic”

Your prayers customarily contain the phrase “Lord, we just...” ), or make excessive and superfluous use of the word "really."

You repeat the mantra, “everything happens for a reason”

You think congregations should be “mission outposts,” not “maintenance stations”

You believe the “marks of the church” include stewardship, servanthood, and political activism

You think Confirmation is as important- or almost as important- as Holy Baptism

You believe that Holy Communion is between you and God, but has nothing to do with your neighbor

ADDENDUM: Consider what this entry the LCMC page where congregations advertise for pastors (!?)- says about their theology of the pastoral office:

Congregation:
--------- Lutheran Church
--- E ---------- Drive
-----, -- -----
Contact: Pr.-------, pastor@-------.org
---.---.----(c)

Position:

Assistant Pastor: Twenty hours to supplement the work of present pastor who is desiring to cut-back to thirty hours in his work schedule. Responsibilities will include: sharing in preaching, teaching, and visitation. Little, if any, expectation regarding administration. This is intended to be a contract position, not a call, paying $1950 a month with no coverage of benefits. It is also likely this congregation will enter into some kind of call process sometime within the next twenty-four months or so.

For that matter, consider what having a page where congregations advertise for pastors says about these people's theology of the pastoral office!