Identity Crisis... Help!

[Brother Matt]

Hi again!

I'm not already a member of a Baptist Church... That's what the original intent of this thread was to explore the reason why I have been so much more influenced by Baptists these last few years and whether being a Lutheran is the right denom for me...

This is fun. It's stimulating my mind...

Not so! There is definatly a age requirment. Elder means exactly what it says. In the Levitical priesthood a priest retired at age 50yr. He then became eligible for appointment of Elder or to the Sanhedrin.

You do have to be 35 to become a Pastor in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod... but I could have received the education so I would be ready by that time.

I just need a biblical reference for your arguement regarding the age of an Elder... I don't recall there being an age limit set forth within the Word of God... and someone should tell my Church because they don't seem to see a problem with my age...

There are differnet interpretations as far as what an Elder is as well...

It wasn't actually my idea to be an Elder; the thought would have never crossed my mind... until my Pastor suggested it.

Knowled can be obtained by a young man, however most of the wisdom and understanding only comes with age. Experience only comes by use not knowledge.

Maybe in your corner of the world, but not in mine. I've worked with people all my life in my professions and wisdom and understanding definitly does not necessarily come with age...

I feel I have more life experience and wisdom than some 40 or 50 year olds I know. It's what you've done with your life... and some can do more in a short period of time than another can do in a lifetime...

For regular life experience:

I run multiple businesses... I run a contracting business... (Remodeling, Painting, Carpentry...) ... I've been an insurance agent (Property, Casualty, Life, Health...) for the past 10 years (I have my own agency)... and I run more than a couple websites online. I have been in Business and Sales for over 15 years.

Do you think I could have accomplished all those things without having experience?

Could I manage people if I didn't have experience? No. Could I manage my time if I didn't have experience? No.....

OK, that's my life experience... Now...

Someone's Biblical Experience:

Someone picks up a Bible when they are 55 years old. In 7 years they decide to become an Elder. That's OK...

Now I had a Bible place in my hands when I was 2 years old... That's not OK?

Your call to salvation and dicipleship are one and the same and are not seperated no where in scripture.

I understand you are talking from a Biblical perspective... I like biblical perspectives.

Maybe you are right... Maybe that's why I am where I am today. I asked God... I prayed to him... I asked for signs... I followed the signs I got... and all of them led to me pursuing ministry.

But in the end, maybe that was either me misinterpreting what God was saying, or I messed up and should have become one no matter what the sacrifice... or it was just a test and it was just part of the path to lead me here to talk to you.

Don't know...

Scripture please where you were called to Pastor?
If you are it goes against what the Bible teaches. God said He had no respect of persons.

There is no where in scripture where one man is called to pastor a Church.

There is no Spiritual Gift of pastor given except given by the Church to the Elders of the local Church. And that is all of them that qualify with equal athority.

The Church also gives the spiritual gift of Deacon.

This one man professional pastoral authority we have today is not bibical.

You obviously don't believe in being "Called" to service... and that's fine; we agree to disagree... I am not going to change your mind and I can't roll back the video and show you what I went through and what I experienced...

And maybe I need to go back to the Scriptures and find a new reason for the feelings I received and the draw I felt... could be reason of mental insanity; who knows. I asked God this at the time, but he chose not to answer that question...

Whatever it was, it was awesome and made me change the whole direction of my life... was it simply the effect of being saved and my experience was just more potent than the average... who know...

Maybe it was all a figment of my imagination...

God only knows; can't wait to ask Him.

You going to one Church and her to another is not that a tear?

Maybe it's a small tear; I'm optimistic and will trust the Lord will mend...

Yes I understand the scripture you are referring to... I am weak in this regard... I cannot ditch my Wife because she is not saved YET. I am far from perfect.

I'm hoping this Tear can be mended... I am certainly not going to seek out a permanent solution to a potentially temporary situation at this time. I will have patience and pray for the Holy Spirit to intervene and work inside her...

I find it hard to believe that the Lord would want us to abandon a lost soul even if it's in our own household...

Then again it may be later than we think...

Reference to the last days, sorry.

My boses opuciation was a Jewish carpenter and I feel it is my duty to teach what He has taught me.

At first I thought you were talking about your real boss, lol...


Many Blessings,