Q. My wife and I, who belonged to different denominations, wish to become more permanently and actively involved in one of the local LCMS congregations. However, I have been too shy to ask the pastor if we would need to be re-baptized in order to be full communicants.

A. The LCMS recognizes and accepts the validity of baptisms properly administered (i.e., using water in any quantity and/or mode, together with the Trinitarian invocation instituted by Christ --see Matthew 28:19) in all Christian churches. Assuming, therefore, that you have already received a proper Christian baptism, there would be no need for you or your wife to be re-baptized, although completion of some form of "instruction classes" or "membership classes" is normally required of non-Lutherans who wish to become communicant members of LCMS congregations. Please discuss this with your pastor who would be happy to discuss this issue with you, and to answer any other questions you have about membership. There is no need to be shy--pastors encounter these kinds of questions all the time.