I'm sure this is the post you've all been waiting for. After much heart-wrenching consideration and soul searching, and renewed soul searching, I am leaving the Lutheran church. I'm not growing spiritually in the ELCA. I've disliked it since I went through confirmation. I often wish my pastor would have taken my youth pastor's words and not allowed me to be confirmed. I don't regret my time being active in the church. It is fun to see how my Sunday school kids have grown into wonderful adults. I've been dreading this day for a long time, but I know it's here. I am leaving Lutheranism indefinitely. As to respect your space, from this point forward, I will consolidate all of my thoughts and posts to this one thread.
I have no grudge against the ELCA. They are doing great things in the name of Christ. But I am not spiritually fulfilled there. I have little interest in WELS or LCMS
I have spent hours upon hours praying, reading, speaking with other non-Lutherans, especially my father who is Catholic about my faith life. A common theme is I'm not being challenged for fulfilled by the Lutheran church. I believe in transubstantiation. It's a miracle. Jesus isn't just below and around and above, He IS the bread and body, given and shed for us.This among many, many other things.
I am currently exploring Anglican, Old Catholic (Utrecht) and, believe it or not, Roman Catholic. I have spent hours upon hours discussing these matters with my father, a devout Catholic. And several Catholic friends, who were surprised to hear that I was even considering anything different. I'm on my way to find something fulfilling, where I can continue to grow in my relationship with Christ. I promise I will limit my postings to this one thread from here on out.
Thank you to my friends here, I hope you understand. And to everyone else, laughing out of their chairs: I'm dead serious. I feel like I'm being called to move on.
Be well.
I have no grudge against the ELCA. They are doing great things in the name of Christ. But I am not spiritually fulfilled there. I have little interest in WELS or LCMS
I have spent hours upon hours praying, reading, speaking with other non-Lutherans, especially my father who is Catholic about my faith life. A common theme is I'm not being challenged for fulfilled by the Lutheran church. I believe in transubstantiation. It's a miracle. Jesus isn't just below and around and above, He IS the bread and body, given and shed for us.This among many, many other things.
I am currently exploring Anglican, Old Catholic (Utrecht) and, believe it or not, Roman Catholic. I have spent hours upon hours discussing these matters with my father, a devout Catholic. And several Catholic friends, who were surprised to hear that I was even considering anything different. I'm on my way to find something fulfilling, where I can continue to grow in my relationship with Christ. I promise I will limit my postings to this one thread from here on out.
Thank you to my friends here, I hope you understand. And to everyone else, laughing out of their chairs: I'm dead serious. I feel like I'm being called to move on.
Be well.