Customer Reviews

Growing Up Lutheran

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Even though I'm a couple years too late for this book, what the authors describe and write about is "most certainly true." If you grew up in an established Scandinavian or German Lutheran congregation, you'll identify with most, if not all, of this book, from your cradle roll days up until the time you're eligible to either serve at funerals or sit in the parking lot waiting for your wife to finish serving at a funeral. Highly recommended!

This is a must read for anyone who grew up in the Lutheran Church anytime from 1940-1970. The Authors Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson must have walked the walk. I grew up in this period and eveything that they report is the absolute truth. I stayed in the Church mainly because of the Walther League. I went to the Conventions and eventually met my wife and we have ben happily married for 48 years. I still Usher in Church every Sunday, I plan on contacting the authors to effect a possible sequel.

. . . grow up Lutheran and in the Midwest, you may not appreciate the total humor of this book, but it's still a delightfully witty, tongue-in-cheek commentary on a by-gone era. Once started, I couldn't put it down, because it called up a flood of memories, everything from Sunday School pins to Mother-Daughter banquets to cemetary upkeep. It was MY life they were talking about. For those of you who did (grow up Lutheran in the Midwest), it a journey back into time; for those of you who didn't, it's an education about a whole bunch of us who sit quietly here in the Midwest doing what come naturally.

This book reignited old memories of growing up in the Swedish Lutheran Church. My grandmother was a member of the legendary Martha Society and probably cooked more chicken that Perdue has ever processed. I roared with laughter over the church characters portrayed. Unfortunately they are not unique. This is a must buy!

I must confesss, which is fitting, that I grew up at the same time in the Midwest as these authors.

However, my ancestors are Swedish and we lived in Iowa. You wouldn't think this would make a difference, but it does.

The only thing I can say is that you had to have been there to completely understand this book. And maybe that won't do it.

There was a comment somewhere that said you can't understand it unless you've had beets or Jello melt into your scalloped potatoes on a paper plate.

I enjoyed this book well enough to send a copy of it to my Father and an Aunt, who also grew up Lutheran. They enjoyed it, too.

I am manager of a Home Health Agency. One day one of the nurses brought this tape and played it during lunch. We laughed until we cried. Especially appreciative are Lutherans or people who were brought up in Scandinavian communities.

I grew up in a Missouri Synod Church and attended an ELC college in the 50's. My pastor did not think I should go there, as it might make me too liberal. He was right--it did. What a great read--but not for Lutherans only. I have shared it with my Catholic, Methodist, Reformed, and UCC friends. They have all loved it and recognize the time when we all attended church and it was the center of our social life. Too bad that is no longer the case. It is a good idea to explain why the authors use "How is This Done, What Does This Mean, and This is Most Certainly True" so often. I shared it with my loosley organized book club and it was a million laughs.

While the focus of the book is on Lutherans who grew up from the 40s to 60s I must confess that having grown up as the daughter of 2 Lutheran pastors, having worked at a Lutheran bible camp in college where i would go lead VBS at lutheran churches in Minnesota and having graduated from a lutheran college that it still pin points humor about the general Lutheran culture. It does not matter if you are in tune with all of the theology or church politics or not--people who both embrace and reject their Lutheran heritage will still appreciate this book! I must admit that while it was not always humourous and that it is more historical than modern that it did pin point observations with humor that i am currently struggling with while debating whether or not to follow through on attending Lutheran seminary relatively soon. I found it right on target and extremely therapeutic.

Also recommended: Garrison Keiller

and more Lutheran congregants should read Jim Wallis and SOjourners magazines!!

I did not read this book yet but am ordering it today. But you must go see the musical, Church Basement Ladies. It is a hoot! Dutch Apple dinner theatre in Lancaster, PA is presenting it now through Nov. 13. YOu will laugh throughout the whole play. There are only 4 women and a pastor in it, which keep you rolling in the aisles.