Changing Churches?

graciesings · Dec 22, 2013

I am having a little trouble figuring out where I need to go next.

I was raised Lutheran. (LCMS) Thanks to some logistical issues, I have not yet been confirmed. I'm 17. Over the last year or two, my younger brother and I have been in a confirmation class. We had a number of delays that made the class take over a year and a half for us, but now we are a week or two away from the end of it. My brother is excited at the idea of being confirmed. I dread it.
I do not want to join the Lutheran church. (However, I don't want to make my siblings think confirmation = graduation from religious expectations.) Anyway, I have a few theological disagreements with the Lutheran church. I don't know what I think about Baptism. I am not absolutely sure yet, but I am really beginning to believe in Real Presence. I am uneasy about confession, I have an amazing relationship with God and confess my sins privately. I pray to saints (AND Christ.) I dress like I'm Mennonite. I am actually very impressed with the Anabaptist lifestyle, but their theology stinks. See, I like the liturgy. And if Christ is in the sacrament, that really is important.

As I look at churches, research more, and learn more, I'm getting closer and closer to agreeing with Catholic theology. In a way that is a relief, because for a long time I have been hoping to find a church I agree with. However, I have a major problem with joining the RCC. That is people. I live in a town where most or all of the Catholics are Mexican immigrants, some of them legal, Very few local Catholics really live their Christian faith! It's disgusting, but what can I do about it? I don't speak Espanol! On the other hand I know a family who are very strong Christians. They live to serve God, their theology is Anglican/Lutheran, and they attend a Baptist church. The boy my age is my best friend, and the only guy I know who I would consider dating.

So I am looking at the future, saying "Now what?" Do I refuse to join the Lutheran church? Or do I join and switch later? And is it worth compromising theology because I want to attend a church where people 1. Speak English 2. Know me 3. Act like Christians?

Asking from a perspective of life (not just what does the catechism say) am I better off staying Lutheran? Suffering through the change to Catholicism? or staying nothing and following a husband I find later?

God bless you,
Grace

S.ilvio · Dec 22, 2013

Hi there Grace.

You sure have a lot going on there. I am not going to advise you on your actual decision. However I would think a visit to the local Catholic church may be quite helpful. Sure, the vast majority of the congregation are Hispanic but the Parish Priest may be able to speak with you, explore the first steps to entering the Catholic Faith.

Welcome to OBOB...

Tigg · Dec 22, 2013

You do have a lot going on.

My only advise is to not join the Luthern Church or any other until you are 100% sure that is what you want to do. Be true to yourself and stay the course till you know for sure. God bless

Merry Christmas

RileyG · Dec 22, 2013

Grace-
To clear up any misunderstanding regarding the seven sacraments, I recommend you talk to a priest ,if you want to. Then you can learn about all the seven sacraments- including confession. AKA penance or reconciliation.

StevenMerten · Dec 22, 2013

Hello Graciesings,

I ask you to pray to Jesus and ask Him what He wants you to do. Many times Jesus wills His followers to take a path that is not the easiest or most comfortable path, but the right path.

The Sacraments of the Catholic Church are in the Church because Jesus wills the Sacraments to be in His Church. John the Baptist was baptizing and Jesus himself was very determined to get baptized and was baptized. Jesus gave us the Eucharist and commanded His Apostles to do this in remembrance of Him. Catholic Popes and Bishops, to this day, are directly ordained from Jesus. St. Peter was the Catholic Church's first Pope. St. Peter, and the other eleven Apostles, were ordained by Jesus and they, in turn ordain new Apostles to lead the Church as their Successors. Jesus literally handed His Church to St. Peter, who, in turn passes Christ's Church on to His Successors. Today, Pope Francis sits in St. Peter's chair, which was handed to St. Peter by Jesus.

It is Jesus who gave His Church the power to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus wills His Church to use His Power to forgive sins, that He put on the tongues of His Apostles and their Successors, to have our sins absolved by Him, through His Church.

The Catholic Church is simply doing what Jesus commanded His Church to do. We, as Catholics, receive the Sacraments which Jesus Himself laid out for us. We Catholics do all this, because Jesus wills us to do all this.

NAB MAT 16:13

Jesus replied, "Blest are you, Simon son of John! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

NAB LUKE 22:14 The Last Supper.

When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you [that] from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

NAB MAT 3:13 The Baptism of Jesus.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me? Jesus said to him in reply, Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

Welcome to OBOB

Rhamiel · Dec 22, 2013

I would recommend that you not get confirmed in a church you are not sure about

keep going to your Lutheran church while you take this time to discern the will of God

lol you would not marry someone who you are not sure about and say "well I can always change latter"

do not do the same with churches

MikeK · Dec 22, 2013

Rhamiel said:
I would recommend that you not get confirmed in a church you are not sure about

keep going to your Lutheran church while you take this time to discern the will of God

lol you would not marry someone who you are not sure about and say "well I can always change latter"
do not do the same with churches

All of this. I also second RileyG's advice that you set up a meeting with a Priest. He will be happy to meet with you and discuss your concerns without pressuring you to join the Church. Joining a new faith is always hard and I suspect doubly-so when you are a minority in that community. Are all of the Masses at your nearest Parish in Spanish?

Also, welcome to OBOB

catholicbybirth · Dec 22, 2013

Hello, Gracie. The one thing that struck me as odd is that you are looking for a church that you can agree with. That is very odd to this old lifelong Catholic. Why is this important? Would it not be better to find the church that God wants you to belong to, the one that teaches all that Jesus taught and nothing that any non divine person added?

Does God not want you where He is most fully?

Janice

Root of Jesse · Dec 23, 2013

graciesings said:
I am having a little trouble figuring out where I need to go next.

I was raised Lutheran. (LCMS) Thanks to some logistical issues, I have not yet been confirmed. I'm 17. Over the last year or two, my younger brother and I have been in a confirmation class. We had a number of delays that made the class take over a year and a half for us, but now we are a week or two away from the end of it. My brother is excited at the idea of being confirmed. I dread it.
I do not want to join the Lutheran church. (However, I don't want to make my siblings think confirmation = graduation from religious expectations.) Anyway, I have a few theological disagreements with the Lutheran church. I don't know what I think about Baptism. I am not absolutely sure yet, but I am really beginning to believe in Real Presence. I am uneasy about confession, I have an amazing relationship with God and confess my sins privately. I pray to saints (AND Christ.) I dress like I'm Mennonite. I am actually very impressed with the Anabaptist lifestyle, but their theology stinks. See, I like the liturgy. And if Christ is in the sacrament, that really is important.

As I look at churches, research more, and learn more, I'm getting closer and closer to agreeing with Catholic theology. In a way that is a relief, because for a long time I have been hoping to find a church I agree with. However, I have a major problem with joining the RCC. That is people. I live in a town where most or all of the Catholics are Mexican immigrants, some of them legal, Very few local Catholics really live their Christian faith! It's disgusting, but what can I do about it? I don't speak Espanol! On the other hand I know a family who are very strong Christians. They live to serve God, their theology is Anglican/Lutheran, and they attend a Baptist church. The boy my age is my best friend, and the only guy I know who I would consider dating.

So I am looking at the future, saying "Now what?" Do I refuse to join the Lutheran church? Or do I join and switch later? And is it worth compromising theology because I want to attend a church where people 1. Speak English 2. Know me 3. Act like Christians?

Asking from a perspective of life (not just what does the catechism say) am I better off staying Lutheran? Suffering through the change to Catholicism? or staying nothing and following a husband I find later?

God bless you,
Grace

Christmas blessings, Grace.

I would say that you should not join a Church because of the people-that's a social consideration. I would say to join a Church because you believe Christ lives in that Church. Take His word, and the words of those who knew Him, or were closest to Him, and go to worship God because God is really present there. People's faith (not yours, necessarily) will waver. It flickers, in some, like a candle. The winds of time might even blow them out of their faith.

I'll tell you, when I go to Mass, other than during the sign of Peace, I don't hardly notice those in the pews around me. I focus on the priest, the liturgy, and the Tabernacle, to the best of my puny ability.

I believe that, if you go to Mass to see your friends, that's why you go, not to worship God (at least not as the primary focus). I know some people who never get out, except when they go to Mass, and for them, I do understand. But we should focus on Jesus in our Worship.

I certainly have social relationships with members of my parish, but it's always before, or after, at least outside of Mass.

I hope that helps you.

Luther073082 · Dec 23, 2013

I suppose you should hold off on confirmation, but can I ask what it is you disagree with in Lutheran theology.

Because here is the thing, the things you mention being uneasy about mostly baptism and confession are beliefs that are fairly common with Catholic theology.

You realize that confession of any mortal sin to a priest in the Roman Catholic church is a requirement right? Whereas the Lutheran theology on private confession is that it's ment specifically for any sins that might be personally troubling you.

I just don't see how you go from I'm uneasy about the theology of baptism and confession in the Lutheran church, I sort of like the Anabaptist way of life . . . therefore Roman Catholic Church???

It just doesn't make much sense to me.

I would figure out what you believe in and go with that church and choose a husband that is a member of that church. If you want to be a Lutheran, marry a Lutheran. If you want to be Roman Catholic, marry a Roman Catholic.

SharonL · Dec 23, 2013

Which church roll has your name on it is not the important thing. It is what is in the heart that matters. As long as the church teaches Father, Son and Holy Spirit just go to the one that you find peace with. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and He will give you peace when you are where He wants you to be. Don't rush into anything, take your time. As long as you have asked Jesus into your heart and be the Lord of your life, your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that is the one that is important.

Luther073082 · Dec 23, 2013

SharonL said:
Which church roll has your name on it is not the important thing. It is what is in the heart that matters. As long as the church teaches Father, Son and Holy Spirit just go to the one that you find peace with. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and He will give you peace when you are where He wants you to be. Don't rush into anything, take your time. As long as you have asked Jesus into your heart and be the Lord of your life, your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that is the one that is important.

Yes I'm sure God just wants people to do just enough to be saved. Why would he care if you go to a church that teaches heresies and believe in heresies yourself just as long as you are having more fun then at the church that teaches correctly.

This is where my signature brings wisdom.

"Many Christians suppose that it makes no difference which church group a Christian joins, and they act accordingly. When they come to a place where any kind of Protestant church is found, they join it as members. There are people who were successively Reformed, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, depending upon the place where they lived. And we should not be surprised when this happens among the sects, for they are not certain about their distinctive doctrines, because they are not grounded in God's Word." - Franz Pieper"

Willie T · Dec 23, 2013

Remember, being a member of a certain church is super important to Jesus. That's why He set up a new church building in every town He visited, and told people to join that particular church to be able to worship Him.

Changing Churches?

It is so ordered.

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