Growing Up Lutheran: What Does This Mean?

by Janet Letnes Martin, Susan L. Nelson, Suzann J. Nelson

If you search for the word "coffee" in the Bible, if you're pretty sure that all the pairs of animals in Noah's Ark were married, and if you know that Heaven is up and Hell is down, you'll love Growing Up Lutheran. If the Lutherans you know seem rather, er, mysterious, it will do you good.

Combining their own memories with those of other Lutherans who grew up in the 1940s through the 1960s, Janet and Suzann have written a delightful expose of what it means to be Lutheran and how it's done. Endearing, often hilarious stories shine a light on Lutheran life from baptism ("And His Name Shall Be Called Gilman Einar Stedje") to death ("He Is Not Gone, He Is Only Away"). In between, you'll learn about Sunday School, Christmas pageants (a.k.a. "bathrobe pageants"), Bible Camp, Confirmation, and Lutheran weddings. You'll get the inside scoop on the Lutheran Church Basement Women ("a special species of people"), lutefisk suppers, pew protocol, church architecture, and much more.

In the words of the authors, Growing Up Lutheran is "a mixture of ingredients that we had on hand, generously salted. . . . With gentle humor, and lightly peppered…with quite a few hot granules of Lutheran theology." This is most certainly true.

Genres: Humor, Christian, Religion, Memoir, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Faith

227 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Beth Brekke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not every day you can say you opened a brand new cassette tape.

I was rather thrilled to find this 2-tape set (still in plastic wrap) at a library book sale this summer. Sometimes the radio in my 1996 truck works and sometimes it doesn't so I usually use its only other entertainment option--the cassette player.

I listened to most of this two times and chuckled often. Growing up Lutheran myself, I found it very relatable and largely true. It was heavy on the Norwegian branch but threw in a few Swedish and German variations. I no doubt would have added some quotes to this review had I been able to listen, write and drive at the same time. The one segment that sticks with me the most was the discussion on marrying a non-Lutheran. As a teen, I was often discouraged against dating a Catholic (gasp!). I managed to evade the Catholic boys and it wasn't until I married a Norwegian Lutheran that this German Lutheran became familiar with the Syttende Mai holiday. Just like the couple in the narration, I chose May 17th for our wedding day.

This audio version was a little "cheesy", playing up the accent we know and love here in the Midwest and exaggerating some of the scenes that are absolutely based in fact. If you grew up Lutheran, I expect you would enjoy either the book or the audio version of this collection of stories and, like me, might wish it was longer.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-hearted look at midwestern Lutherans. There were so many things in this book that I could relate to--for better or worse.

[Tena Edlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as research for the play I'm currently in. The Church Basement Ladies is a musical based on this book. It gave me some deeper insight into the characters we're playing, and it was an entertaining read. It reminded me of how things were at church when I was a little girl. It made me think of all the dear women of the church who seemed to be the very backbone of everything: Mary Lutes, Cora Raymond, Katherine Glasgow... and so many other faces I can see in my mind without being able to bring the names to the surface. Even though I'm not a Lutheran, I can remember my church being and feeling like this book, but I don't think it's like this at all anymore. I think young people would not understand this book or even find it endearing the way I did because churches don't have armies of volunteers like they used to. It's sad, in a way. I'm very glad I read this book before my show opens, though. Come see it at the Walton Club in Fairfield on February 11-13 & 19-21, 2016. :)

[Elsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audio book, narrated by the authors, reminded me of my Granny and her side of the family, practical Scandinavian Lutherans from Wisconsin. My Lutheran upbringing in South Carolina had more of a twang and no lutefisk in sight, but much was the same. I particularly enjoyed the pipe organ hymn excerpts between chapters.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you didn’t grow up Lutheran, you will find this book a hoot. For those of you who did grow up Lutheran, it’s a hoot and a half. You will be taken back in time to those long confirmation classes and endless memorizations. (What does this mean? This is most certainly true!) You can relive your Luther League days, with its away conventions if you were lucky. And don’t forget the annual Christmas pageant, complete with gauzy angel wings and shepherds in bathrobes. The authors do a great job of touching on nearly every aspect of church life, from baptisms to weddings, and all the way to that final farewell. Notes about Sunday School days (daze?) are included, as well as quips about the ubiquitous church dinners and the ladies who ran them. Numerous pictures are included. (Look for yours!) You will find out just how Lutheran you are when you read about the standard Lutheran practices. Though the entire book is liberally dosed with humor, there are some serious aspects, too. This well-written memoir is a trip down memory lane for Lutherans, and a fun trip for those who aren’t. This is most certainly true!

[PBurke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of the old ALC sixties kids, and I "read for the pastor" (old fashioned term for catechization) and I remember it vividly to this day--completely barbaric thing to do to eighth graders--and can still recite the conclusion to the commandments in Luther's Small ("I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me . . ."). Catechism classes Saturday mornings. VBS. Confirmation. Luther League. High school choir. Sunday school until I completely refused (12th grade). Parental inquiries as to had I studied my lesson, my memory work? Not for the faint of heart. I think they meant to build their Lutherans tough. "Fram, fram, Kristmenn, Krossmen" was no joke to Lutherans This is, and was, most certainly true. Still recovering from the jealous God. Loved the book.

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very fun! My husband grew up Catholic and I grew up Episcopalian. Some family members on his side, married Lutheran people! This book goes into what it means to “turn” from the Lutheran faith when a Lutheran would marry outside of the faith, like those Catholics!

This book is basically set in the Minnesota area where we currently live. We have listened to enough of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie home companion radio shows to have a small taste of what it’s like to be Lutheran in Minnesota.

There are authentic photos throughout the book and a good explanation of what to expect if you grew up a Lutheran mainly in the 50s and 60s. The story excerpts in each chapter are authentic and taken from other sources.

[Abbie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminded me of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Woebegone stories of Lutherans that he often told for years during his radio program, A Prairie Home Companion. A negative review of the book by someone who apparently didn’t like Garrison Keillor attracted me to it, and I’m glad I picked it up.

I love the Norwegian accents of the authors, who narrate this book. Many of their tidbits of information and anecdotes kept me laughing. I was reminded of my own experiences with Sunday school, confirmation, and church camp, although I didn’t grow up Lutheran.

The snippets of church music throughout the recording and the information about Martin Luther at the end added a nice touch. Even if you didn’t grow up in any church, you should get a kick out of this book.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been raised Lutheran, this book was a trip down memory lane. I found it interesting that there were traditions that while I was attending Sunday School as they were changing.
I must admit to not remembering Luther's catechism. I'm not sure this was a requirement during the 1960's. Besides, we were definitely "town folk!"
The descriptions of so many of the types of people and the customs rang true. I will always be grateful that our church did not EVER have a church dinner with lutefisk! Perhaps that was due to our church having Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and other plain-old Lutherans. Whew! The red Jello was always present, though.
I am a Lutheran who has both "turned" and married outside of the religion.
"This is most certainly true!"
Enjoyable read!

[Reading Fury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the hoot. The authors really get rolling in the last couple of chapters; nothing is sacrosanct. I picked this up on a lark. I know many Lutherans and noticed some group characteristics. I can't say this book necessarily clarified the why, but certainly I have a better grasp of the history and general mindset of 1950s-70s rural and small town midwestern Lutherans. However, no lutefisk for me, thank you.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Recently I have started to explore again the faith that I was brought up in. This book made me laugh so many times because I never realized that so many Lutheran youth had such similar experiences. I felt reconnected and decidedly blessed as I closed this book for the last time.

[Trudy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a life long Lutheran, graduated from a Lutheran college, married a Lutheran, and raised my children as Lutherans but I did not find this funny. I do have faint memories about a few of the things mentioned involving my parents and grandparents so I believe it is historically accurate but still not funny. The Basement Ladies stage show, on the other hand, is funny (at least the one I saw).

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book about growing up in rural Minnesota and being part of the Lutheran faith in the 50's and early 60's. The plays of "The Church Ladies Basement" series were based on this book. I really enjoyed it.

[Kari McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so interesting to hear about an alternate church which was in some ways outside the fundamentalist-modernist split. They had their own structure and polity and very unique style. Loved this book!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This is most certainly true"

[Debbie Koester · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was like revisiting some of the many days of my childhood at church!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny Lutheran book, worth a read for a giggle and to remember the days back then.

[J Barbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was funny because a lot of the things mentioned were realistic or very true!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is my life...this is most certainly true! The writing style has a Garrison Keillor flavor.

[Mary Schultz]

I read this because a church member wanted me to. 😆

[Jenna 💥 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 ✨ Read this book to see what inspired the church basement ladies play! This book is a little silly, but gives lots of insight on how Lutheranism worked back in the day.

[Linda Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is most certainly true! 😂 This book is hilarious and I saw myself over and over again! I grew up Methodist and identified with so much. A fun read!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a respectful insight into an earlier time (1950s and 1960s) of a religious subculture of the American Midwest by two women who were raised in it. I found it very touching and interesting, with gentle humor and appreciation of their families and church life. I have a feeling this subculture no longer exists in our modern world, so the careful and loving depiction may be an important ethnographic study of a bygone era. It was a far sweeter and more innocent time than ours, that is for certain.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually pretty good! Though I'm sure it's better appreciated by people like my grandma who grew up in rural Midwestern Lutheran communities. It was interesting to hear about religious traditions I grew up with as well as ones that I had never heard of. And there was plenty of humor interspersed, my favorite moments being whenever "Widow Snustead" would show up to decry newer traditions, and at the end when the authors told the story of Martin Luther and the printing press.

I also really liked the audiobook's narration and its use of piano and organ hymns between chapters!

[Lychee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to two thirds of it, but other books have been more appealing so haven't finished listening to it (and probably won't).

I will say that while I generally prefer reading to listening, I am coming to have a real appreciation for the audio format and hearing things like "and it is most certainly true" at the end of each segment was hilarious for this raised-Lutheran listener.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were raised a Lutheran you simply HAVE to read this book. Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson know Lutherans inside and out (because they ARE Lutheran) From the definition of a mixed marriage (a Lutheran marrying a Catholic) to prayer roll Martin and Nelson are eerily and hysterically accurate. This most certainly is true.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might have to be Lutheran/grown up Lutheran to really enjoy this as much as I did! Fondly humorous, it was really cute! This is where the popular "The Church Basement Ladies" plays began! I'll continue to enjoy more of this author's writing! She has several humorous books about Lutherans.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

My aunt wrote this book...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest books I have ever read! I laughed through the entire book - because it's all the things I remembered - from growing up Lutheran!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like this are just fun-so many memories of situations, people, and traditions come back as you read this book.