New Creation Church hosts first worship

By Louis Hoglund

louish@eot.com

Perhams newest church will rise on Easter Sunday.

New Creation Lutheran Church will host its first worship April 16 in a unique setting: The Comet Theater in downtown Perham. The contemporary worship program will be presented in front of the same big screen that showed the motion picture Ten Commandments nearly fifty years ago; and Passion of the Christ about five years ago.

We talked about handing out popcorn before the service, smiled Marge Lougheed, secretary of the New Creation church.

As many as 150 are expected for the first church service, 9:30 a.m. at the Comet movie theater. After the service, fellowship will follow in another unique setting: A former second hand clothing store. Church offices and the fellowship hall are kitty-corner from the Comet, in the former Second Hand Rose retail store.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

This is the founding scripture for New Creation, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), a relatively new confederation of Lutheran churches.

A fast-growing movement, there are now 177 congregations, in 30 states and five different countries--all within the past five years.

Fifty of those congregations were formed over the past 12 months. Most of them created by break-away factions--in large part out of dissatisfaction with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), the nations largest body of affiliated Lutheran churches.

Former Calvary members form

foundation of new church

In Perham, a majority of the 70 core founders of New Creation are former members of Calvary Lutheran. Founded in 1959, Calvary is the only ELCA church in Perham, and with more than 1,000 members, one of the larger churches in the area.

Reasons for the division at Calvary are varied,but in general terms, the ELCAs perceived liberal platform has been a factor. Also, the LCMC contends that it gives local churches more local authority, and less centralized governing.

The LCMCs vision and mission statements also call for a more strict adherence to the Bible as the final authority. The LCMC also affirms its definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, noted Lougheed, who also serves as the marketing and evangelical chairperson.

Locally, there has also been dissension regarding Rev. Paul Anderson, who had strong support among many who are now charter members of New Creation Church. The relationship between Anderson, the Calvary church council, and the ELCA synod had been strained for much of the past year. The matter culminated in several congregational meetings, attended by hundreds; and intervention by ELCA church officials from synod headquarters in Duluth.

Anderson, who was called to Calvary in the summer of 2004, voiced his concerns with the ELCA on several occasions. This combined with some internal and managerial issues between Anderson and the Calvary Council, resulted in a negotiated agreement under which Anderson stepped down from his position with Calvary.

Anderson may be a candidate for the position at New Creation Lutheran, though there has been no official call.

Calvary planning full Easter weekend schedule of worship

Meanwhile, Calvary Lutheran is preparing for its Easter worship.

Though attendance has been down somewhat, with the loss of members to the new congregation, Calvary officials are moving ahead optimistically under interim pastor, Rev. Breckenridge.

Easter Week services at Calvary include a 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. services on Maundy Thursday and a 6:30 p.m. Good Friday service. Easter Sunday services at Calvary are 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Both congregations have stressed a desire to put any past divisions and conflicts behind, and concentrate on the Christian mission of the churches.

Contemporary worship is emphasized

at new Perham church

Were very excited and anticipating great things that God wants to accomplish with New Creation, stated Lougheed. We will target people who are not actively attending church. We want our community to know the peace and joy of God, and for them to know the comfort and healing that He provides.

New Creation will use contemporary methods in their ministry, added Lougheed. Services will include modern music, augmented by multimedia presentations.

The congregation feels that worship should not be a boring ritual. Were Bible based, with a contemporary blend in worship style; we have a positive message of Gods goodness...

For more information on New Creation, call (218) 346-7203.