I don't know if this will even happen BUT, I'd like to hear some opinions/advice.

[cassie121]

So,

This more pertains to LCMS but anyhow, input from anyone is welcome. The idea has surfaced of organizing a cross walk to St.Louis this summer for the obvious meditation/experience and to protest the ABLAZE movement in a peaceful and Christian way. I'm not sure if this is a great idea or just asking for it. It will obviously be mostly college/seminary students. If I go I'll probably be the only highschool kid/ perhaps only female. I KNOW that this is not a super popular/mainstream practice but I feel moved to do it. Do you guys know of any cross walks/marches ? Have you done one? Would you do it again?

 

[WildStrawberry]

I've never done a "cross walk" but I've marched in many a "Silent March" against abortion. I enjoy them because it gets the message across and we can witness to anyone who comes up to us to challenge us or to ask "why?"

I'd say, if the Spirit is moving you to do this, don't hesitate!! Even if you are the only HS student and/or female there. (Have you thought about going into full time Church work? Like being a Deaconess???)

Kae

 

[Studeclunker]

Um... what's a cross walk (other than the lines in the street)?

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Count me in. Ablaze is just another form of decision theology, and it's just promoting church growth congregations. I'd so be in for it. I'd be worth the 5 hour drive!

 

[DaRev]

Count me in. Ablaze is just another form of decision theology, and it's just promoting church growth congregations. I'd so be in for it. I'd be worth the 5 hour drive!

While I agree that Ablaze is just another name for church growth mumbo-jumbo, I fail to see how it's "decision theology".

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

While I agree that Ablaze is just another name for church growth mumbo-jumbo, I fail to see how it's "decision theology".

They don't count infant baptism in their counter, sort of gives the impression that you must decide no?

 

[Archaenfel]

Not necessarily. It may just mean that ( like so many evangelical movements ) they are only interested in those *brought* to the faith. Such programs have no interest at all in the physical/mental/spiritual well-being of parishoners once they're in the congregation.

I've seen it first-hand.

 

[cassie121]

Um... what's a cross walk (other than the lines in the street)?

A cross walk is well a walk carrying a cross. Your own cross. They are usually just 1 individual and their mentor/pastor however, we decided to do this as a group as it puts our parents more at ease. They are usually very long distances and can take months to complete. We've calculated it will take us the majority of the summer to complete this. It helps to personalize the pain and suffering Christ took for us and provides a time for meditation.

 

[cassie121]

I've never done a "cross walk" but I've marched in many a "Silent March" against abortion. I enjoy them because it gets the message across and we can witness to anyone who comes up to us to challenge us or to ask "why?"

I'd say, if the Spirit is moving you to do this, don't hesitate!! Even if you are the only HS student and/or female there. (Have you thought about going into full time Church work? Like being a Deaconess???)

Kae

Yes, I have thought heavily and hope to become a deaconess.

 

[RadMan]

I would suggest that participants in the Cross Walk be well versed in why they are doing it. The people you meet that are proponents of Ablaze have done their homework and could leave y'all flat footed. You'll be out numbered and be hit with all kinds of questions that even your pastors might not be able to answer.

 

[cassie121]

^Thank-you for the advice. TBH I haven't ran into any IRL.

 

[Studeclunker]

Actually, a study for yourself, Cassie, and all who will be participating, would be wise. Not only will this enable you to answer questions, but it just might be useful in persuading an erring brother and sister to correction.

After all, isn't that what the 'Cross Walk' is all about?

Personally, I'm not crazy about this kind of thing. Usually people go off half cocked, that is to say; unprepared. In fact, it just might be useful for your pastor to carry on the tutlage whilst on the walk with you.

Being studied in the appologetics one will need for unbelievers/outsiders and one's erring brothers, is essential to call attention to a problem in one's church. What is Appologetics? Nothing more than having proper answers to questions asked and proper arguments against error and heterodoxy in one's Church. The term doesn't mean to appologise precisely, as to explain succinctly. Appologetics is one of the great weaknesses in our Lutheran Laity. I've found the average Lutheran very poor at explaining their faith, the whys of their worship/liturgy, and differences of belief.

Besides, such a study for you and your friends will aid in your own walk of faith whilst making the miles pass and keeping your mind focused on the issue at hand.

Just the opinion of a grumpy old stick-in-the-mud Conservative Lutheran.

 

[joyfulthanks]

I don't understand the purpose of this. I mean, why use the cross of Christ as an attention getter to air a grievance within the LCMS to the whole world? When my husband and I have a disagreement, I don't stand out in the yard with a sign and tell everyone why I think he's wrong. We deal with it between the two of us.

If you want to do a cross walk, why not one with the purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ to those who have not yet heard it?

 

[Studeclunker]

I don't understand the purpose of this. I mean, why use the cross of Christ as an attention getter to air a grievance within the LCMS to the whole world? When my husband and I have a disagreement, I don't stand out in the yard with a sign and tell everyone why I think he's wrong. We deal with it between the two of us.

If you want to do a cross walk, why not one with the purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ to those who have not yet heard it?

A valid point, however I would differ in that this quarrel is one that needs to be forced into the open. Our supreme potientate needs to understand that our laity isn't pleased with him. Also, this isn't a quarrel between a private couple, but a public Corporation. As that is what the LCMS is. Yet... yet, this is also an excellent way for these young people to reach out to unbelievers. With the pastor present, it would also enable others to hear his teaching. Hence, my stressing appologetics. They are useful for the erring Brothers and for the uninformed unbeliever.

Sometimes when the leadership of an organization is ignoring a problem, the best way to get their attention is to bring it into the public marketplace and force them to pay attention. Pres. K. is a politician. He hates bad publicity. This whole event might just be an excellent way for a pastor to teach some appologetics to a few young people. However, if the media's curiosity is piqued, it just might become a bit more.

Sometimes one needs to use the public forum to bring an erring Brother to his senses.

In this case, one could accomplish two excellent goals in one operation.

If this is just done to garner attention to a problem within the LCMS, it won't have the same impact. Though it just might do some good.

 

[cassie121]

The cross is traditionally used to aide the person(s) in a better understandment of the sufferings of Christ. You know, to actually feel the weight of the cross and the painof carrying it. It is in of it's self not an attention getter. TBH that's really not the point in this. Originally, this had nothing to do with the ABLAZE issue. But, we didn't know where to end and it just seemed natural and logical.

 

[RadMan]

Both Stude and I have mentined the "prepared" issue. Has the pastor gone into this with you young adults? Is the pastor going to use the "passion" of the cross as to vehicle of GOd's grace and mercy or is he just using it as an attention getter?

"But, we didn't know where to end and it just seemed natural and logical."
How is this natural and logical? Maybe I'm missing something here.

I'm not trying to be critical, just curious.

 

[DaRev]

They don't count infant baptism in their counter, sort of gives the impression that you must decide no?

Not at all. The Ablaze program is only intended to count those who have been told about Jesus, not those who actually join the church. If it was truly concerned with church membership, the total would be going in the other direction.

 

[cassie121]

Er well actually and I know you guys well not like this...my pastor is not joining us. We've yet to find one that we know that could.