Leaving ELCA

I like my WELS friends! I'm LCC, and am blessed with very confessional Congregations and Pastors in our Circuit. If this were not the case, and there was a WELS Congregation near by, I would indeed seek membership there!

A few years ago, my former Congregation had a very "liberal" Pastor, and I did look into WELS. The closest Congregation to me here in Ontario was about 300 miles away in Ottawa. Thank God, I found my present home.

Mark.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Thanks for not looking at us (WELS) as alien beings, like the elca does, Mark.

__________________
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Well, WELS is not alien! Confessional Lutherans seem to be an endangered species of late. We must support each other!

Besides, we were in fellowship at one time. A former Pastor, the late Thomas Photenhauer, went over to WELS (with the Congregation I mentioned in Ottawa), as did a former Son of our Congregation, Doug Priestap. Fine Pastors, and a credit to what ever Synod they serve!

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I haven't seen any ELCA members on this board (or anywhere, for that matter) look at WELS Lutherans as "alien beings." Willy pointed out that there are huge cultural differences between the ELCA and the WELS--something that you yourself are often quick to point out, and frequently in the most uncharitable terms toward the ELCA. Those cultural (and, obviously, theological) differences are undeniably a reality, and there was absolutely nothing rude about Willy's having pointed that out. Willy described some of his experiences with former WELS members, and I didn't detect any disdain or condescension toward WELS in those descriptions.

Originally Posted by JoeCatch

I haven't seen any ELCA members on this board (or anywhere, for that matter) look at WELS Lutherans as "alien beings." Willy pointed out that there are huge cultural differences between the ELCA and the WELS--something that you yourself are often quick to point out, and frequently in the most uncharitable terms toward the ELCA. Those cultural (and, obviously, theological) differences are undeniably a reality, and there was absolutely nothing rude about Willy's having pointed that out. Willy described some of his experiences with former WELS members, and I didn't detect any disdain or condescension toward WELS in those descriptions.

You are right....it's impossible for Willy to be rude.

I am WELS and most uncharitable.

Glad we all have that straight now.

__________________
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Oh, please. Nowhere did I claim that "it's impossible for Willy to be rude," nor did I attribute your uncharitable reading of his comments to the fact that you're a member of a WELS congregation, as though your lack of charity toward him is somehow a reflection upon WELS as a whole. I won't speak for Willy, but if you want to read into what I write meanings that have absolutely nothing to do with what I've actually written, then so be it. I'll just continue to discuss and debate substantive issues with those who are willing to do so, and leave the petty, personal nonsense wars to those who have the time and inclination for them, because I don't. I'd much rather spend my time here discussing and defending the points that I actually do make than constantly sorting out from them the ones that I didn't.

Glad we all have that straight now.

Boy this thread has really gone off track. There is a great divide between the ELCA and many other Lutheran Synods (LCMS, WELS, ELS, AALC and others) that is not going away soon.

We have the OP, Ed, saying he is leaving the ELCA and I believe that he has not made this decision lightly. He has been on this forum a very long time and I know that he struggled with this. The fact that he is thinking of WELS says a lot about what he believes.

To those those who act like he does not know what he is getting into or things, I think he does. Why can't those in the ELCA accept and respect the fact that a member is leaving.

Willy, lets tell all sides of a story. Many times when one goes on about people who are joining there Synod, they relay all the things that support their views. It is my experience that many times, there are just as many going the other way.

Ed, I support you and your decision.

__________________
God Bless,
Jane

Make me to know your ways, O, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV)

Yes, sorry Ed......my feathers got ruffled when Willy slammed the WELS. Back to the OP.

__________________
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I would too Seajoy. One can state they disagree with someone without slamming or bashing.

__________________
God Bless,
Jane

Make me to know your ways, O, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV)

I don't mean to be rude. I just know that we are talking about very different cultures here. That is just reality.