St Mark’s Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

I was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for 14 years, until I moved to California. I loved being a part of this congregation, often attending meetings, rehearsals, and worship services three or four evenings a week, not to mention three hours on Sunday mornings. I was very disheartened when I learned that the church had closed up and «merged» with Gloria Dei. I have nothing against Gloria Dei, but it has never felt like home to me – as St. Mark’s did. I’m glad that the steps were taken to allow the St. Mark’s family to remain together, but the situation appears more like a (friendly) takeover than a merger. When sister congregations Grace Lutheran and Peace Lutheran in Fort Lauderdale merged, later including Hope Lutheran in Pompano Beach, the result was Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church – a new congregation that came with much history. By simply joining up with Gloria Dei, it seems to me that the voice of St. Mark’s would grow quieter (but hopefully not disappear). Business as usual likely means doing everything the way Gloria Dei wants things done. The merger took place just five months ago (July 2011)…time will tell how things all work out.
4 Stars – 5 stars because I love the place; –1 star because it had to leave Hollywood.