Church History

History of Our Church

Making Melody On a Theme by God

On Easter Sunday 1980 Family of Christ Lutheran Church was born, somewhat in controversy, to be honest.

Pastor Nate Castens and about 30 families had, until then, been members of Living Christ, a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church congregation in Chanhassen. Controversy erupted when Nate proposed that the church consider granting permission for women to take part fully in all levels of responsibility in the congregation - including service on the "Board of Elders" (the Spiritual Care Committee). Missouri Synod tradition had never allowed women to serve in that role. Nate's suggestion brought heated disagreement from some members of the congregation and after three months of turbulence and a vote of "no confidence," Nate resigned.

Simultaneously an informal Living Christ group began to arrange for worship independent of that congregation. The historic old building of St. Hubert's Catholic Church was vacant, and the new "Lutheran Mission in Chanhassen" rented the facility for $25 a week. On April 6, 1980, 212 people attended the first worship service.

For two months, weekly meetings were held on Thursday evenings to test the feasibility of a new Lutheran congregation - and then to organize. Pastor Nate served part-time for six months. By then, financial support and membership had solidified enough for him to return to full-time work. For about two weeks, our church carried the name Lutheran Church of St. Thomas the Believer - but that was reconsidered and our present name adopted. After three months of independence, Family of Christ affiliated with one of the national Lutheran groups which eventually formed the ELCA.

Our church Family grew slowly from 1980-1985. Since then, as residential housing developed in Chanhassen and its neighboring communities, we have grown quickly. In the late 1980s we built our own first church facility, the building on Lake Drive East just west of McDonalds in Chanhassen. Discovery United Methodist now owns and worships in that church.

In 1995 the first of our many ministry-staff expansions began with a second pastor (Josh Nelson) focused on youth and family ministry. When our current facility was complete (move-in was January 2002), a long-term dream became reality with the opening of our preschool. Staff changes continued as Associate Pastor Kristi Weber served from 2001-2003, and Associate Pastor Kristie Hennig arrived in 2005 and continues to serve to this present day. After Nate Castens’ retirement in 2010, there was an interim period, followed by a re-calling of Josh Nelson to serve again, this time as senior pastor.  

 

We’re members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the national church body formed in the 1980s by the merger of the American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC). Our local Minneapolis Area Synod is headed by Bishop Ann Svennungsen.

 

Some elements of our history which have helped shape our church life and identity:

Remembering our roots as a small congregation as we developed into a larger growing and hospitable church family.

Valuing Lutheran history, traditions in worship, and theology while inviting and

respecting people from many church backgrounds (or sometimes from no church

background) – and using a variety of worship formats and ideas. We think of

ourselves as innovative, liturgical, and sacramental and pride ourselves on the

quality of our music, including various musical groups that lead worship.

A history of respecting differing opinions on issues. We deliberately call ourselves an "umbrella church," careful not to politicize our worship life and fellowship.

Dealing straightforwardly and constructively with conflict and personnel issues.

Ecumenical relationships with other churches.

From the beginning, Family of Christ has shown strong support for "benevolence/mission." We designate a tithe (currently 11%) of its own budgeted income for donation to local social service agencies and our synod / ELCA.

A pretty good system to include and introduce new members into our Family life. (Some of that depends on the individual, of course.) Often newcomers find a niche for themselves even before attending a new member orientation. And every committee/group (including the church council) is a mixture of recent newcomers and long-term members.

We’re delighted to welcome newcomers to our church household, and encourage them to contribute their own unique personalities, talents, and perspective to our developing congregation.

 

We can promise good pastoral care, thoughtful and engaging worship, opportunities to serve at your level of time, interest, and skill, plus hospitality, spiritual support, and the steady reminder of the Christian promise.

 

History of the ELCA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed over 20 years ago. This new church was formed from three separate and well-established North American church bodies:

 

• The American Lutheran Church
• The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and
• The Lutheran Church in America.

Beginning January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA. Two decades later, this energized church is composed of 4.8 million members and nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S. and Caribbean. Today, the ELCA reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the people it serves.

 

But to understand our heritage fully, one must trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.

Read about Lutheran Roots in America on the ELCA website >>

 

Go to our own What is the ELCA page >>