An Outsider Visits a Lutheran Church 

As a Catholic, I am profoundly happy to see this pastor talking. He seems to be a holy man who loves the Lord. May his church and congregation be blessed with wisdom and peace.

As a German Lutheran it made me so happy to see my church so vibrantly and joyfully alive in the US.

I am a proud Russian Orthodox Christian and I have to say, I loved this pastor’s energy and enthusiasm. His congregation is blessed to have him. God Bless ☦️

I am a confessional lutheran and I wouldn’t want to worship any other way. I went to other churches, left the church completely to be a wild godless party animal until God woke me up and carried me back. LCMS has always felt like home to me. This pastor did an amazing job and is so enthusiastic about His faith and his church and it’s soooo encouraging. I had goosebumps the whole time listening to him talk.

Sometimes as a Catholic, Protestant churches seem so foreign then you step into a Lutheran Church(Anglican, Episcopal churches as well) you see the connections. A beautiful church.

I am not religious but seeing everyone you speak to being so open and thoughtful with their faith is what finally convinced me to attend Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral. It was lovely and very moving, I cried a little bit.

You couldn't have chosen a better representative than Pastor Weedon. He's awesome!

As an LCMS Lutheran, I feel honored that you did this video. Thank you for checking us out. And yes, Pastor Will Weedon is indeed nuts in a good way.

As life long Lutheran Church Missouri member, I have to say the "complexity" of the service is comforting. I fell from the church from sin and guilt more than once in my life. Returning was so easy. The hymns, the words, the flow were the same when I was a 5 year old in 1973 sitting with my grandmother. It was so easy. Thank you.

I am an Eastern Catholic & this pastor seems very energetic. Most certainly that his congegation is very lucky to have someone like him on the altar. Great video Matt

I think his is the first time I have seen an outsider actually look at at Lutheran Church without labeling it "too Catholic" or " too Protestant" too "stodgy" or "boring" the r "intellectual." To have someone actually look and see how exciting my faith is, was very gratifying. Thank you for this video!

I'm Roman Catholic but I love this pastor!

I am direct descendant of Martin Luther. Still a Lutheran after all these years ✝️ Thanks for being super cool!

As a Catholic, I love this guys energy I wish more people had this kind of enthusiasm about God

This video is partly why I chose to join a Confessional Lutheran church almost a year ago. Soli Deo Gloria!

I was confirmed in the LCMS just last Sunday. It's nice seeing this video pop up.

Martin Luther was not just a Catholic monk - He was highly educated and had the equivalent of multiple doctorates. He knew the theology he was trained in inside and out and also knew it didn’t line up with many of the teachings of the church.

This is a great idea for a Netflix series. Spend three episodes highlighting a particular christian denomination visiting congregations and delving into their beliefs and practices and demonstrating at the end of each episode what all Christians share in common.

I left the Mormon church. Learning now about other Christian churches is fascinating. Your videos are very interesting and helpful. Thank you!

Fun fact: luther never wanted to create the protestant church, just to change roman catholicism, not even the papal succession

Posting a video on the Lutheran Church on the 502nd anniversary of Luther posting his 95 thesis: well played.

As a Catholic who studied at a Benedictine monastery, my mind is just boggling around right now. I knew that the Roman Catholic and Missouri Synod Lutheran structures (both in theology and building) are similar, but not how similar. He did a better job explaining things than many Catholic priests (about things in common). This was great, and cool! Thanks!

Uploaded on Reformation Day 2 years ago! In 2019 I started my journey in studying Catholicism, and thought I might actually convert! I ended up discovering Lutheranism. I actually watched this video a couple of times a year or so ago and loved it. I've shared it with others too. This Reformation Day, which happens to be a Sunday this year, I'll be entering the LCMS.

This Pastor’s energy is so happy you can really tell he has the Holy Spirit.

This is beautiful. And even giving me some guilt. When he talks about how easy it is to tell others about something we enjoyed and yet how often I miss opportunities to tell others what glad tidings God gives us.

You picked the best pastor to speak with on this for Lutheranism

Rev. Weedon is a very talented Pastor. Every time he speaks it's an old, yet new and exciting, experiance in learning.

I’m so glad you went to talk with Pr Weedon. He’s truly a wonderful man of God and a great blessing to our church.

I love the way this guy loves Jesus 😊 It's contagious!

As an Anglican I can say we are very thankful for out Lutheran Brothers and sisters!!!

This "visit" series is informative and interesting.

These videos are an absolute gem. I think you’re doing a great service by going out and producing these and in doing so breaking down barriers and giving understanding to different denominations.

You couldn’t have picked a better person to interview.

That Will guy could almost make me want to be Lutheran. Fantastic dude. Making the faith look good.

This series is one of the best things on the internet right now. It's amazing to see someone being genuinely interested in what others believe and think, and not just ask questions to get more ammo in debates. I love that you show the world that it's possible to have good and meaningful conversations with people you might disagree with. The respect you show to all different kinds of people is really inspiring! For me (as a Finnish Lutheran theology student) it was also quite interesting to hear an American Lutheran talk about these things and see how similarly things are done over there despite the cultural differences. I hope you continue to do this series!

Jesus in the manger but not on the cross = discomfort with the cross. Hands down the most interesting point I’ve heard in any of these videos.

You picked a great place to go! Pr. Weedon is an excellent representative of Lutheranism.

As a Minnesotan I mostly know ELCA Lutherans and had a lot of stereotypes about LCMS, Pastor Wesson did a great job helping me better understand what drives the Missouri Synod group.

This guy's a hoot. Lovely pastors are the best.

Take it from me, an ex-reformed who turned confessional Lutheran; It seems so subtle these differences, but they are bigger than you first think. Also, when considering liturgical traditions, you will either keep them or replace them with modern liturgy. Often, the modern version contains less of Gods word. That is not a good thing.

Thank you so much for visiting St. Paul and talking with Pastor Weedon. You could not have found a better representative of the Missouri Synod as a whole, and I am so glad that you came away with the feeling of "the whole Church for 2000 years." I was raised Lutheran, but that's why I stayed Lutheran.

I was so blessed by Pastor Weedon!!

I love this, he was open and passionate. He opened his doors and laid out his confession! His love for God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit shines through this Pastor.

Very informative. Thanks for the video. I am a Missionary Baptist in Arkansas but I have visited the Lutheran Church in Batesville several times. I was always welcomed and treated with utmost respect. Their theology is very close to ours. So close that I have no doubt many of them are truly saved according to the Word of God. I say that because so many "so called" churches are not preaching the Truth. Those think they are saved but not according to the Word. To them God will say, "depart from Me I never knew you".

Thank you for doing this video. It was very well done and respectful. I am LCMS. My husband and I converted to it from different church backgrounds so I totally understand how it looks to outsiders. The liturgy is sometimes hard to get the hang of in the beginning. But what really drew me to love it is that it is the words from the Bible (sometimes easier seen in the service book with the text references) and that connection to Christians before us. My husband later went to seminary and we were assigned a field work church (mentoring church) where he got to learn more about the liturgy, traditions, and ceremonies that the Lutheran church kept because it confessed something about our faith and scripture. Now my husband is a LCMS priest/ pastor not far from this church. Blessings to you.

I am a LCP lutheran pastor from the Philippines and I thank you for visiting our partner church. This is so informative

Matt, I wanted to share with you that I came back to this series four times. I felt led to visit a LCMS church and found my church home there. I wanted to give to you and Pastor Will Weedon thanks for this series. The impactful conversations and genuine expressions of faith carefully laid out in your videos have helped me pursue the truths of Christ and his message. I have learned that Christianity is one tree with many branches. It is beautiful to see the diverse expressions of faith to our Lord and Savior. Blessings to you and your ministry! ✝🙏

Great video! I'm from the same Synod, but in Brazil. The theology it's the same, and the pastor did very great in his explanation of the Church and the Liturgical aspects. It's very great joy to be representaded by him.

The Sacrifice of the Mass is not a “repetition” of the Sacrifice at Calvary but the SAME Sacrifice from 2,000 years ago. The Mass transcends time and space since it is a supernatural event. So we really are present at the Foot of the Cross in the year 33 AD. Just thought I would correct Matt’s error in this video on what we as Catholics believe.

Really nice video. Some brazilians are sharing your video on facebook. I'm a lutheran from Brazil, the LCMS started our church in here. The lutheran church is amazing and is just perfect to know that we are salved by the grace of Jesus Christ. May Jesus bless you, man.

You definitely picked the right pastor to speak with. Pastor Weedon’s extensive knowledge combined with his engaging personality makeS for compelling conversation. Can’t wait for the second part. You seem to get to the heart of things very easily. I’m looking forward to watching the other videos in this series as well, to see what others say about their own faith traditions. Love that hat, too. Connected to Buffalo, NY?

So interesting because I am a Missouri Synod Lutheran and sometimes forget how this looked to me when I first became Lutheran and also makes me cherish what we stand for for the glory of Jesus! Thank you

Thank you for doing this video. I have just recently joined the Lutheran Church in my town (LCMS) and it has been such a rewarding and comforting experience in my life. I was drawn to the church not only because of the uplifting word of God spoken there, but also because of their beautiful music program. When we sing, I know God hears us. I am still learning about my new church and your video was so informative and helpful.

What a perfect date to publish this video....October 31st. Martin Luther would be pleased! I just joined your channel and love it. I returned to my faith after 20 years and am currently attending a Lutheran (LCMS) church in my town and enjoy it very much.

Ha! Life-long, and joyful Missouri Synod Lutheran here. What a perfectly appropriate day to release this video. I share Pr. Weedon’s enthusiasm about our historic Christian confession. Loved the interview.

The thing (it seems to me) we need to get from this series is...That Which Unites Us (JESUS) Is Sooo Much Greater Than That Which Divides Us.

I sat with a smile on my face during this whole video, because 5 years ago my wife and I started attending an LCMS church, and had the same kind of questions and had to wrestle with the same issues. I am really looking forward to the interview. Thanks for the work you do Matt.

Great video! Pastor Weedon is a treasure. I'm not sure how anyone could not be Lutheran after talking with him!

His enthusiasm is infectious:)

Great Interview with will Weedon! Love the Missouri Synod's Lutheran symbolism all pointing to Jesus.

I'm Catholic and watched your Protestant visits a Catholic Cathedral, then watched the second part/interview, then watched this - this is awesome! I can't wait to catch up on your videos. I hope more people see these. You do a great job and your curiosity is contagious!

This has got to be the most energetic pastor I’ve ever seen!

I became Lutheran (LCMS) about 3 months ago! It’s great

Thank You for your series & podcast! Pastor Weaton is a gem within our church, a very gifted Pastor & teacher in so many ways. On this 502nd Anniversary if the Reformation, it is fitting to visit a Lutheran Church. Historical, Liturgical worship is interactive, and we respond to His gifts to us!

Love Pr Weedon's Love and Enthusiasm. And I am so Thankful to be in Liturgical Confessional church in Boise, Idaho. Pr Timothy Pauls at Good Shepherd Lutheran is a great Shepherd. I thank God almost everyday for bringing me out of American Evangelicalism.

Matt, I just started watching your vids because of this interview with Pastor Weeden. Thank you. Your questions were so respective...I can't quit watching all of your RU-vid videos!! I'm a lifelong LCMS member, and (in my opinion) my heart swells with joy with your interview. Thank you, Matt.

Pr. Weedon almost went East... He truly is brilliant. A total asset to the Missouri Synod

Glad to see the LCMS showing up on RU-vid! Looking forward to the next video

Hamil, IL???? So cool! My dad is an LCMS pastor, and my mom's a deaconess! I love being LCMS, especially meeting fellow LCMS teens!

I long to visit a Lutheran Missouri Synod Church one day. I’ll be in the middle of the church, saying, “Amen” and “Take yo time Pastor!” ‘cause I’m Baptist. ❤️❤️❤️ Lutherans!

I had NO idea how Catholic Lutherans connected to the Missouri Synod were. I really needed this information. My son (grown) has become a member of one of these churches and I thought it was a regular Protestant church! Ha on me! Thank you for going to the trouble, as I have no way to get to a church, let alone my son's, to see what's going on.

A "reformed Catholic Church" has really hit the nail on the head, right down to the crossing of the persons arms across their chest as they go up to the Communion rail. In the Catholic church those folks who want to join the Catholic church but have not been made members through Baptism into the church go to the Communion area in the from of the church with their arms crossed on their chests. This is a normal practice year round, but especially through out the Lenten cycle. As a Catholic, I was expecting to see a more "Protestant" church without the pictures and symbols of religious beliefs. I was startled to see that these Lutherans have a Communion railing which the Catholic church ripped out when they turned the altar around so that the priest faced the congregation. I was absolutely surprised to see that this Lutheran church had so many symbols that are in Catholic churches. Catholic clergy at Mass have various colored vestments depicting each season of the church year and so do these Lutheran clergy where it was noted that they were in the "green cycle" as we have in our church year. The Lutherans have kept the Crucifix, the cross with the figure of Jesus nailed to it just as the Catholic church has. I'm really looking forward to the sit down talk. Well done!

Im a catholic and the most surprising thing about this is how it seems more "conservative" than many catholic parishes ive been to. Celebrating ad orientem, the communion rail and kneeling to recieve the eucharist... ive only seen that at latin rite churches. really it gives me a lot of hope that we may yet be able to unify the more liturgical churches and then send the lutherans to evangelize to the nondenominational christians.

Matt, thank you for this series. I appreciate how respectful and curious you are in each of these. If only all Christians were as kind to one another.

I grew up Lutheran and haven't been to a Lutheran service since my family's church had to close when I was about 10. Seeing clips from the service took me WAY back and conjured memories I forgot long ago. Even the board with the bible passages listed looks exactly the same! Even though we were technically Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the similarities are huge. Love your channel!

Greetings from Brazil! This video was incredible. As a Lutheran it was great to see our faith so well represented.

Matt: "Will Weedon ... Will Weedon... Will Weedon..." Me: disappointed when Wesley Crusher isn't a Lutheran pastor.

it's comforting to know that Wakandans are Lutheran.

Happy Reformation Day! What an excellent interview! Pastor Weedon is such a captivating and knowledgeable teacher. I was first introduced to the LCMS through Issues Etc who has often had him as a guest on there program. My husband and I did not grow up Lutheran. But after hearing many excellent sermons, podcasts and teaching about the theology, we were confirmed as adults and have had both our children baptized into the faith. Peace be to you! Looking forward to part 2.

Thanks soooooo much for doing this. And with one of the most OUTSTANDING LCMS pastors out there!!! Will is tops when it comes to his passion and expertise in true Orthodox Lutheranism in the US. Awesome!!!!

I'm glad you went to LCMS.

I grew up Lutheran lol 😂. I was surprised by your topic this time. My parents were not believers but my Grandma was and too me to church every Sunday☺️. I went to a Christian Elementary 1st - 4th. It was the happiest time of my life. I was baptized in a Lutheran Bible Summer Camp in a Lake in the Mountains of Idaho. It was AMAZING 😉

Missouri is definitely a good place to start investigating Lutheranism. Henry Gerecke, a Lutheran pastor in St. Louis, served as a chaplain to the most notorious Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg after the conclusion of World War II. There's a fantastic book looking at his life-which also explores the history of Lutheranism in the United States, to a certain degree-entitled Mission At Nuremberg, which is well worth reading, IMO.

That guy is a tad bit excited about his church...that is awesome!

The Missouri Synod Lutheran Church is soooo Catholic (big "C"). This guy is awesome! He did such a great job of explaining his faith tradition. You used the words "complex" to describe Liturgy, but as a Catholic Christian, I would use the words "depth" & "beauty." As the Pastor says over and over, Christ is the center of Sacred Liturgy. This is true in the Missouri Synod Church and in the Catholic Church. I enjoyed this video : )

I really enjoy your interviews with other faith traditions in the Body of Christ. Very fitting that you posted this on October 31, 2019. Today marks 502 years of Martin Luther posting his 95 thesis. In Germany today is Reformation Day. American Christians (most Protestant) are debating Halloween instead of marking an important day in Church history. Happy Reformation Day!

I see you have a book of concord there, Matt....joiiin uuuusss👽

This was an encouraging watch! I just transitioned from the Reformed to Lutheran tradition and Pastor Weedon is a joy to listen to as he hashes out what Lutherans cherish in their liturgy and theology.

I sent this to my pastor. We have a very small church but are now blessed with 5 young folks that are going to our confirmation class. I think this video will be fun for them to watch. I enjoyed watching, and I have been blessed with pastors who have reviewed most of this at one time or another but this was such a nice, compact review! Thank you for your ministry.

I enjoyed watching this. The liturgy and theology appears to be very similar to the theology and liturgy in the evangelical lutheran Church of Sweden that was founded in 1517 and has been the state church ever since. Sweden was the first country to be reformed in 1517 and when it comes to central theology and liturgy the otherwise quite liberal Church of Sweden has been exceptionally conservative. Thank you mr. Whitman for your hard work and dedication to education and evangelisation. Herrens frid, hälsningar från Sverige God bless, greetings from Sweden

Orthodox (former protestant) here. This has been one of my favorites with respect to your interviews getting into Protestantism. Big respect to this Pastor and his faithfulness to his tradition, he's a gem!

As a lifelong LCMS Lutheran, I appreciate this video. Very interested to see the second part. I also appreciate that Book of Concord sitting on your desk!

I have been blessed to watch this. I am non-denominational Christian Church / Church of Christ (think Restoration Movement) and I really yearn for a day when Christians of many denominations or no denominations can realize that we have so much more in common than we have differences. If we could come together in unity, the world would change. Much love to my Lutheran brothers and sisters.

From a Catholic, I think you and your channel are awesome!

If my pastor had been that enthusiastic when teaching confirmation classes I may have continued to attend! I never knew WHY we did 90% of that stuff!

I was raised Catholic, and there's something about being in a place that "feels like church" I miss in some churches that feel like any ole' place. I don't think "churchiness" is key to salvation, of course. But I don't get to occupy many spaces as comforting and encouraging as a good church, places that motivate me with the space to think about heavenly things and aspire to better things. And boy, that place looks churchy!

This is great! Pastor Weedon is one of my favorites to listen to. Can’t wait for the next video with your interview with him. You are always welcome to come visit us in the Missouri Synod and learn more. Also, being a Wyomingite, I like your hat!

Catholic fan here. I loved the pastor's enthusiasm about his faith, and your openness to sit back, listen, and learn. I've been to some ELCA services, but never LCMS, and I'm surprised by how traditional this particular church was, in terms of things like a communion rail and the pastor's ad orientem position at the altar. I just love these videos. They're educational and so respectful. Wish we had more of this in the Christian family, rather than tearing each other down the way we so often do. Thanks so much.

The only pastor I have known who was this excited and clear about the Gospel was an Orthodox priest. Glad to see this man has such vigor for our Lord.