Going to join a LCMS church.

[Crankhandle]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and I'm also quite new to the LCMS and to Lutheranism as a whole.

I've had quite a Christian journey starting by being baptized in the Church of Christ and then moving to the Disciples of Christ before wandering in the christian wilderness for quite some time.

I have been ready to chuck the whole idea of church at times, but was re-energized by listening to RC Sproul on the radio. I started studying Reformed theology and tried to find an evangelical Presbyterian church, but to no avail.

Sproul refers to Luther a lot in his teaching so I decided to try a LCMS church and I have loved it. I love the traditional worship and communion every week. I have yet to receive communion yet, but I am in the process of receiving instruction about the sacrament in order to receive. Further instruction will be required before I become a member.

I'm in the process of learning more about Lutheran doctrine by reading the historic confessions of Lutheranism.

I will be here reading a lot, but may not post very much.

 

[LilLamb219]

Welcome! It's great to have you here. If you have questions about anything, feel free to ask

 

[DaRev]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and I'm also quite new to the LCMS and to Lutheranism as a whole.

I've had quite a Christian journey starting by being baptized in the Church of Christ and then moving to the Disciples of Christ before wandering in the christian wilderness for quite some time.

I have been ready to chuck the whole idea of church at times, but was re-energized by listening to RC Sproul on the radio. I started studying Reformed theology and tried to find an evangelical Presbyterian church, but to no avail.

Sproul refers to Luther a lot in his teaching so I decided to try a LCMS church and I have loved it. I love the traditional worship and communion every week. I have yet to receive communion yet, but I am in the process of receiving instruction about the sacrament in order to receive. Further instruction will be required before I become a member.

I'm in the process of learning more about Lutheran doctrine by reading the historic confessions of Lutheranism.

I will be here reading a lot, but may not post very much.

Be advised that much of what you read here is based more on personal opinions than actual Lutheran doctrines. As a piece of advice, always confirm things with your pastor. The fact that the church you attend has traditional liturgy is an indication that the pastor is somewhat orthodox in his practice.

God bless you in your faith journey.

 

[Crankhandle]

I've got a lot to learn and was considering getting the concordia study bible, but I'm not real crazy about the NIV.

ESV is more my style, I hope they put it out with that translation. I've heard that they will, but it will be a couple of years at least before it's finished. I'll just have to wait.

 

[Tetzel]

My pastor gave one of my friends a Concordia NIV when he started coming to church. It's a very nice study bible. Welcome to the LCMS.

 

[Crankhandle]

My pastor gave one of my friends a Concordia NIV when he started coming to church. It's a very nice study bible. Welcome to the LCMS.

Thanks! I might have to go on and get one even before the ESV version comes out. The pastor called me tonight to let me know that we are going to meet after church to start going over the Small Catechism.

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

Welcome to the Spirits leading you to the Lutheran (Christian) church. Lutherans can get very "in depth" in there discussion of Lutheranism but that is actually good because it helps clear the air about errancies.

Even though you will hear opinion some you will also hear more solid Christian theology presented here.

 

[Crankhandle]

Welcome to the Spirits leading you to the Lutheran (Christian) church. Lutherans can get very "in depth" in there discussion of Lutheranism but that is actually good because it helps clear the air about errancies.

Even though you will hear opinion some you will also hear more solid Christian theology presented here.

I'm really excited about this church and denomination. The Pastor met with me for about an hour and a half after worship and we studied from the small catechism. He gave me a copy of it and some study guides to work though for our next study time. There is a lot to learn, but he seems to be really patient and understanding. It's good to be able to ask him all of my stupid questions. I think it's going to work.

 

[LilLamb219]

It sounds as if you found a very dedicated sub-shepherd to help you along That's great!

 

[DaSeminarian]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and I'm also quite new to the LCMS and to Lutheranism as a whole.

I've had quite a Christian journey starting by being baptized in the Church of Christ and then moving to the Disciples of Christ before wandering in the christian wilderness for quite some time.

I have been ready to chuck the whole idea of church at times, but was re-energized by listening to RC Sproul on the radio. I started studying Reformed theology and tried to find an evangelical Presbyterian church, but to no avail.

Sproul refers to Luther a lot in his teaching so I decided to try a LCMS church and I have loved it. I love the traditional worship and communion every week. I have yet to receive communion yet, but I am in the process of receiving instruction about the sacrament in order to receive. Further instruction will be required before I become a member.

I'm in the process of learning more about Lutheran doctrine by reading the historic confessions of Lutheranism.

I will be here reading a lot, but may not post very much.

I am happy that you have found the Pastor to be patient and understanding and also willing to answer your questions. This is what it is all about. This is why I want to be a Pastor. BTW... I have also spent time in other denominations but came back to my roots in the LCMS.

Scott Strohkirch
(formerly Spalatin)

 

[seajoy]

Welcome! It's good to find a home isn't it? I'm so glad God led you to where you have landed. May He continue to bless you as you study His Word in depth.

seajoy

 

[Crankhandle]

I was able to meet at the church with the pastor today for more instruction. We're working through the lessons that are based on the small catechism. I'm a truck driver and it's difficult for me to find the time to get to the classes, but he has made special trips to the church just to work with me. I wish I wasn't such an inconvenience to him, but I'm truly glad that he's taken a special interest in me. I try to get everything out of the time we have and I believe that we are making good progress. I think I'll be a member before you know it. I can't wait!

 

[LilLamb219]

I bet he doesn't see you as an inconvenience at all That's great that you found a subshepherd who loves to teach God's Word to the sheep!

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

I was able to meet at the church with the pastor today for more instruction. We're working through the lessons that are based on the small catechism. I'm a truck driver and it's difficult for me to find the time to get to the classes, but he has made special trips to the church just to work with me. I wish I wasn't such an inconvenience to him, but I'm truly glad that he's taken a special interest in me. I try to get everything out of the time we have and I believe that we are making good progress. I think I'll be a member before you know it. I can't wait!

Keep up the good work.

 

[Studeclunker]

Okay, I have a question about a term that keeps popping up in this thread.

What is a sub-shepheard? Do you mean assistant Pastor?

 

[LilLamb219]

A subshepherd is a pastor. Think of Jesus as the true shepherd who calls his flock and he uses subshepherds to care for and feed the flock.

 

[Crankhandle]

I haven't checked in for a while, so I thought I would give everyone an update. The membership classes are going great! It looks like I'll be ready for membership around the beginning or middle of February. Thanks for everyone's support and always be ready for me to ask a stupid question if one comes up!

 

[Jim47]

I haven't checked in for a while, so I thought I would give everyone an update. The membership classes are going great! It looks like I'll be ready for membership around the beginning or middle of February. Thanks for everyone's support and always be ready for me to ask a stupid question if one comes up!

We only allow one person in this forum to ask stupid questions and I was given that honor quite some time ago since I am the most qualified.

Ask away, there are no such things as stupid questions, answers however may be different

I'm glad that you are enjoying your instruction. I still remember mine from 45 years ago. My Pastor was truely a saint, but as God's children, we all are.

Something I think you will enjoy and benefit from is to read the bible from start to finish. After you've done this about three times your eyes are really opened about God's plan of salvation, but be sure to read one of the modern translations and get your Pastors recommendation on which is best. My favorite is the NIV and God's Word Translation. In fact I am going to be buying a bible shortly in God's Word translation, right now all I have is digital versions. If you want to try it you can download it from E-Sword for free, as well as a number of different versions, but you have to download the starter versions first. They are zip files so they download quickly and don't take up much space. They also have an excellant concordance and search engine. Here is a link

http://www.e-sword.net/bibles.html

 

[DaRev]

but be sure to read one of the modern translations and get your Pastors recommendation on which is best. My favorite is the NIV and God's Word Translation.

There are better translations than those. The NIV has a Reformed bend to it and God's Word, while a paraphrase of the Beck's Bible (which is also a paraphrase) is a rather clunky one. The LCMS now uses the English Standard Version for its liturgical and lectionary uses. A study Bible edition is in the works from CPH. Another very good translation is the NKJV which reads very similar to the King James without the archaic wording. It is also based somewhat on the Ecclesiatical Text. The NASB is also a good accurate translation, although it can be a bit of a chore to read because in many ways it mirrors the grammatical forms of the Greek and Hebrew.

As an LCMS pastor, I highly recommend the ESV.

 

[Crankhandle]

There are better translations than those. The NIV has a Reformed bend to it and God's Word, while a paraphrase of the Beck's Bible (which is also a paraphrase) is a rather clunky one. The LCMS now uses the English Standard Version for its liturgical and lectionary uses. A study Bible edition is in the works from CPH. Another very good translation is the NKJV which reads very similar to the King James without the archaic wording. It is also based somewhat on the Ecclesiatical Text. The NASB is also a good accurate translation, although it can be a bit of a chore to read because in many ways it mirrors the grammatical forms of the Greek and Hebrew.

As an LCMS pastor, I highly recommend the ESV.

I've been using the ESV for a while now. I remember when it first came out a few years ago and thought that it was a fine new translation based on the old RSV. I think that the translators have done a wonderful job combining word for word accuracy(like the NASB) with smooth readability(like the NIV). It is a very balanced translation that's good for public reading and private study.