Fellowship with other Christians
I read that WELS Lutherans don't "fellowship" with Christians of other beliefs. What is meant by that? Would you not pray with a non-WELS Lutheran over a Thanksgiving meal? If you lived in an area without a WELS Lutheran church, would you be okay attending an LCMS Lutheran church?
Elsewhere on this web site you will find these statements on our fellowship practice that answer your questions. (You can read the statements in context via this link. )
“5. We believe that God directs believers to acknowledge oneness in faith with Christians whose confession of faith submits to all the teachings of Scripture (John 8:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22). We believe, furthermore, that individuals through their membership in a church body commit themselves to the doctrine and practice of that church. To assert that unity exists where there is no agreement in confession is to presume to look into people’s hearts. Only God can look into people’s hearts. It is not necessary that all Christians agree on matters of church ritual or organization. About these the New Testament gives no commands (Romans 14:17).
“6. We believe that those whose confession of faith reveals that they are united in the doctrines of Scripture will express their fellowship in Christ as occasion permits (Ephesians 4:3). They may express their fellowship by joint worship, by joint proclamation of the gospel, by joining in Holy Communion, by joint prayer, and by joint church work. God directs believers not to practice religious fellowship with those whose confession and actions reveal that they teach, tolerate, support, or defend error (2 John 10,11). When error appears in the church, Christians will try to preserve their fellowship by patiently admonishing the offenders, in the hope that they will turn from their error (2 Timothy 2:25,26; Titus 3:10). But the Lord commands believers not to practice church fellowship with people who persist in teaching or adhering to beliefs that are false (Romans 16:17,18).”
Do keep in mind that if we are not able “to practice fellowship with people who persist in teaching or adhering to beliefs that are false,” that does not mean we jump to the conclusion that they are outside the kingdom of God. “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Timothy 2:19). We simply operate with people’s outward confession.