FAQs

Q: Is Charity affiliated with a denomination?
A. Charity is affiliated with a new association of congregations and individuals called Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). This association is free in Christ; accountable to one another; rooted in the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and working together to fulfill Christ's Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations.  Charity Lutheran Church is now on Facebook.

Q: What does the church believe?
A. Please reference ABOUT CHARITY and read the Beliefs section.

Q: What are services like?
A. The Word of God is preached and all aspects of the service are about getting closer to and giving glory to God. Communion is offered twice a month at both Sunday and Wednesday services. Our traditional service features Lutheran Book of Worship (green book) liturgy and hymns. Contemporary services offer a variety of worship styles and music. Common elements in all of Charity's services are scripture readings, confession of sin, confession of faith, Word-based preaching, prayer and praise music.

Q: What time do the church services begin?
A.  Sunday at 8:00 a.m. is a traditional Lutheran liturgy service. At 9:15 and 10:45 a.m., services are casual and contemporary and feature a praise band and vocalists. On Wednesdays, there is a Worship-on-Wednesday (WOW) contemporary praise service during the school year and more low-key, contemplative service during the summer months.

Q: Are there mid-week activities?
Charity has a very popular Worship-on-Wednesday WOW evening service (contemporary) and a variety of education, small group and fellowship sessions from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. for pre-schoolers to adults during the school year. Charity's new Confirmation program is held on Wednesday evenings for grades 7-9. Check out Charity WOW on Facebook.

Q. Is Wednesday night WOW service just for kids?
A. No, its a regular mid-week worship service with many children, youth and adult education opportunities before and after it. A predominately youth praise band performs. Wednesday night W.O.W. is known for its powerful and dynamic preaching and outstanding praise music.

Q:What kind of ministry does Charity have for children?
A. Charity has two very successful teaching/activity curriculums for children: Kingdom Builders (Sunday School) at 9:15 a.m. for age 3 to 6th grade and evening Sunday School for teens at 5:30 in a private home. On Wednesday evenings King's Camp for the same age group, in addition to WINGS, a graduated program (by age) for learning the Bible, and Rock Solid, the senior youth program, at held in addition to Confirmation small and large groups. Vacation Bible School is held in June each year, and children are encouraged to participate in worship, Christmas program musical, spring musical, and many activities throughout the year, including a ski trip for older children.

Q: What kind of programs are available for youth?
A. Charity has a full roster of activities for middle schoolers through senior high. Sam Coleman, Charity's youth director, leads girls and boys' Bible studies; ROCK SOLID, a fellowship and teaching time for senior highers,; and spearheads volunteer opportunities for youth to serve the community, Charity outreach ministries, in addition to leading-fun-filled mission trips, underground church, ski trips, camping trips, hiking-biking trips, YMCA activity night, paintball paradise, fishing trips, Pumpkin Patch fun day, participating in children and adult congregational events, and offering a message during worship services.

Q: What music and drama ministries are there at Charity?
A: Besides regular worship at Charity, Bob Peske ("Bubba"), Charity's Director of Worship & Music, has assembled non-denominational praise bands for community events and outreach both in Bismarck and surrounding cities and towns. Peske has coordinated many festival events that include the Charity Dancers, Charity Signers, and Charity Drama Team for Christmas, Easter, and other celebratory events throughout the church year.  He also leads a semi-annual trip to Willow Creek Community Church (Association) Worship Arts conference, and is the leader of the Charity Dream Teams. If you feel called to serve the Lord, contact Bob Peske at 258-1228.

Q: What kind of missions program does Charity have?
A: Charity supports missionaries in community, state and foreign locales. We support the Tartu Academy of Theology in Estonia, Freedom Fellowship in McLaughlin, SD, Riverside Harvest Ministries in south Bismarck, and missionary families and churches in Madagascar, Bolivia, Mexico, and organizations such as Lutheran Missionaries and Pilots, Seafarers and LCMC. For Charity disciples, a variety of mission trips for youth, middle-school, senior high and adults are offered  during the summer months, in addition to Charity's weekly outreach programs in the Bismarck-Mandan community.

Q. Tell me about the staff.
A. Charity has three pastors, a director of worship/music, a youth ministries director, a children's ministry director, an administrative assistant/volunteer coordinator, a secretary and a custodian. For more information about the staff, click here.

Q: How do I get involved at Charity?
A: Come to our Sunday and Wednesday services - not just once, but over a period of time: get to know us. For anyone interested in becoming a disciple of Christ at Charity, check out the Join the Charity Family page on this web site. Remember that volunteer opportunities abound. Call the church office (258-1228) and ask for Beth or talk to one of the pastors about how your gifts might be used for God's work at Charity.

Q. I'm interested in clarifying my knowledge of Christianity and what it means to be a Lutheran - what does Charity offer?
A. Charity offers ALPHA, a small-group teaching/fellowship course for people who know a lot about their faith and people who know nothing about Christianity. ALPHA teaches the basics; it cuts away all the 'have tos' and 'must dos' that you may think is necessary to being a Christian, e.g, "Jesus Christ plus 'something else.'" Charity affiliates with WordAlone and LCMC, two organizations of Lutherans who hold to another set of basics: WORD (of God) alone, GRACE alone, through FAITH alone in JESUS CHRIST alone. You will also find interesting and beneficial adult ed New Life courses at Charity. Get involved in growing! Being a Christian is to be fully alive for the first time in your life.

Q. Do I have to be a Lutheran to join Charity?
A. Charity welcomes everyone. Our church has a place for seekers, sleepers, people who have been hurt or disappointed by 'church' and those who are hungry and starving for the Gospel. Our house is a shelter - an open door for anyone who is suffering, confused, in pain, empty, addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, affluence, money - or simply "lost" - without a purpose.  We are place for committed Christians to continue to follow Jesus Christ and his Great Commission. If you don't have any problems in your life, and love the Lord, come and share your gifts with those who need your ministry! You don't have to present any credentials to come through the doors of Charity. Come hungry for love, meaningfulness and a relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Stay and listen: if you have not heard the Gospel preached lately, then listen closely: Charity sermons are based on  Scripture: God's WORD - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 NIV .  We are a place of welcome and fellowship. Introduce yourself to us.