ROCKFORD — From the outside, some of Rockford's old-lineLutheran churches look like monuments to the city's early immigrants — sober, solid, built to last.
Inside, however, their mission is planted firmly in the 21st century.
Oct. 31 will mark the 500-year anniversary of the day German priest and theology professorMartin Luther, as legend has it, nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the doors of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany. His goal was modest: to prompt an academic debate on the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church — the only Western Christian church at the time.The result was dramatic: Oct. 31, 1517, is seen by scholars as the start of the ProtestantReformation that split the Roman monolith.
In Rockford, many Protestant worshipers will recall the event at Sunday services.
"We're not celebrating the Reformation, we're commemorating it," said the Rev. MichaelThomas, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church. "It's not like we're celebrating a schism. It's more like, what happened, and why — like telling your family's story."
Luther was scandalized by the sale of indulgences, the practice of paying for the forgiveness of sins. At the time Luther crafted his theses, the proceeds from the sale of indulgences were being used to fi nance the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
"The Reformation premise has always been: saved by grace alone through faith apart from works," Thomas said. "There's nothing you can do to earn your salvation. Works are a response to grace."
Fast forward to 2017. What does the Reformation tradition look like in Rockford today?
When Swedish and German immigrants settled in Rockford in the mid-1800s, many of them took up residency in what we know today as the Midtown district. Of the congregations inRockford that are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, nearly half are in theMidtown Parish, a location Thomas said is far from an accident. The ELCA is the largestLutheran denomination in the United States.
"So many people are committed to this neighborhood and the community in a way that represents the cultural diversity and opportunity to serve," he said. "We live in a community where there is violence, yes, but we live in a community where people care and love one another and are willing to deal with the challenges we all face not by running away but by staying engaged."
Over the years Zion has found many ways to extend its mission beyond the church walls. The nonprofit Zion Development organization was founded in 1982, Patriots Gateway Community Center in 1995, Blackhawk Buddy House in 2001 and Katie's Cup in 2005.
"Being involved in the community is a holistic response to the needs of the community," Thomas said. "It's not just the spiritual care, but education, jobs and social relationships."
The Lutheran school system took root in Rockford with the founding of St. Paul school in 1888.
"One of the defining elements of Luther's personality is that he was really involved in education," said Don Gillingham, executive director of Rockford Lutheran School. "Our purpose isn't to make (students) into Lutherans but to give them a connection with Christ."
Of the students in pre-K through 12th grade at Rockford Lutheran, 40 percent are Lutheran, and 25 percent don't claim a specific church.
"We're really encouraged when non-Christians come to us," Gillingham said. "We do a good job exposing kids and giving them the message, but really what defines Lutheran education is its ability to adapt to all of the options and technology available in education today."
Adapting to the needs of the community is part of what keeps the Reformation alive, said theRev. TroyAnn Poulopoulos, pastor of Rockford's Emmanuel Lutheran.
"The Reformation started back then but has never ended," she said. "We have a need to reform to make the church alive and meaningful and accessible to people in a way that is comfortable to them. It was the beginning of a process that only continues now."
Founded in 1885, Emmanuel is one of the oldest Lutheran churches in town. In 1898, it was the first Lutheran congregation in Rockford to offer Sunday services in English instead of German, a big step for the community at the time. And in 2013 Emmanuel took another progressive step, voting to become a Reconciling in Christ parish, a designation given to Lutheran congregations and organizations that openly welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
"The entire denomination has been accepting of LGBTQ individuals, but each church gets to decide how far they go in that decision," she said. "This one flies a rainbow flag. People don't have to be cautious about who they are here."
Poulopoulos and Thomas both said that it's important to strengthen relationships with theRoman Catholic Church.
"That's something that happened 500 years ago," said the Rev. Phillip Kaim of Holy FamilyCatholic Church. "We don't seek rank or animosity. It's been a great working relationship between Catholics, Lutherans and Protestants on community projects."
The reconciliation between the Catholic and Lutheran faiths is especially important to 28-year-old Roscoe resident Don Stein, whose wife is a former Catholic.
"The coolest part about Lutheranism is it doesn't matter how you worship," he said. "Rock guitars, pianos or the organ, it's what you believe that matters."
Next year, Stein said, he will "take the plunge" and begin seminary in St. Louis, with the goal of becoming a Lutheran pastor. He views the milestone anniversary as a chance to remember Luther's message to always care for your neighbor.
But his 3-year-old-daughter, Beth, has a different view.
"She calls it a party for Jesus," he said.
Kayli Plotner: 815-987-1391; kplotner@rrstar.com; @kayplot