The Conversations

The Conversations revisit the foundational teachings and practices of the Church. By asking the enduring Lutheran question, “What does this mean?” we seek to understand our faith, remaining rooted in the truth of Holy Scripture.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. | Colossians 3:16

The Conversations is a recurring feature of Lutheran Church–Canada’s weekly e-newsletter, in response to calls from pastors and laity to return to the fundamentals of the faith. Through guided discussions between the Director of Communications and pastors across LCC, The Conversations help readers understand not only what the Church teaches and does, but why–rooting each topic in Holy Scripture and the life of the Church.

The Conversations on August 06, 2026

We are not quite through with the series Law and Gospel, nor can we exhaust it. One of this week’s articles and a few upcoming ones introduce a terminology that some have asked about: altar and pulpit fellowship. So, we pause to clarify this. The Director of Communications (Dr. T) calls on one of Lutheran Church–Canada teachers, Rev. Mark L. Smith to answer this:

Dr. T:

Altar and Pulpit Fellowship—what does that really mean?

Rev. Smith:

Christian fellowship is more than friendship or shared affiliation. It is koinonia, the communion and shared life created by God Himself. Through the Gospel, the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ and, in Him, to one another. As the apostle John writes, “our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3 ESV). This fellowship is God’s gift through His Son, who has reconciled us to the Father and made us fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:13– 22). It is not something we build, but a gift God gives and sustains through His Word and Sacraments.

Altar and Pulpit Fellowship is the Church’s public confession that this unity in Christ and His teaching exists between congregations or church bodies. Because they confess the same Gospel and administer the Sacraments according to Christ’s institution (Augsburg Confession VII), their pastors may preach in one another’s pulpits and their members may receive Holy Communion at one another’s altars. Fellowship does not create agreement; agreement in the truth creates fellowship. For that reason, the Church receives this fellowship with gratitude and guards it carefully, so that her preaching and sacramental life may remain faithful to Christ and His Word.

Rev. M.L. Smith is the Director of International Missions for Lutheran Church–Canada and a frequent contributor to The Canadian Lutheran.

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