LCMS Positions, the not obvious ones

[Zoness]

Also I have built, or rather allowed my case to build against the LCMS:

http://www.christianforums.com/t7415542/

 

[Ukrainia]

Also I have built, or rather allowed my case to build against the LCMS:

So I see your quote at the bottom. You may be a pretty liberal guy, but don't let that stop you from looking at confessional Lutheran churches. While the majority of Lutherans I know are conservative, politics don't have their place in the Lutheran service. Instead you'll hear the law and gospel, which means an emphasis on your sin and how's Christ's love for you is so great he died for you so that sin is completely washed away.

Abortion is probably the exception to the rule, because we truly do believe a child in a woman's womb is no less a child than a child who has already been born. And therefore an abortion is the taking of a human life, and much more than just a choice to be made.

As to the quote on the bottom of your screen, It's a myth that liberals are more generous than conservatives. You'll find plenty of people of people in Lutheran churches who give to those less fortunate. And while confessional Lutherans may be mostly conservative, they are a lot less involved in the "culture war" than many evangelicals. I think that's a product of the fact that politics don't really have a place in our churches, and that's a good thing.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

if you go to welcome to st john's! and go to the multimedia page, you'll be able to download a good sampling of what kind of sermon you'd most likely see at a confessional conservative Lutheran church. I'm a bit behind on getting Nov. services up there, though. Oops.

(Just be sure you have your volume turned down if you're at work or in a quiet place - there's music on the home page)

 

[Zoness]

Thanks for your posts. My quote is reflected at my huge cynicism towards evangelicals, not so much a political position. I am liberal on a lot of social issues although I am pro-life, I am not an extremist about it though. I will at least take a look.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Thanks for your posts. My quote is reflected at my huge cynicism towards evangelicals, not so much a political position. I am liberal on a lot of social issues although I am pro-life, I am not an extremist about it though. I will at least take a look.

The religious right kind of disgusts me, replacing doctrines and sacraments with political issues. I think that the LCMS would be a lot stronger if we had more confessional liberal people, it seems that this whole religious right/fundamentalist/evangelical wind that's been rushing through American denominations is aliturgical, and overwhelmingly politically conservative.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I think it's very difficult to separate our politics from our religion.

I consider myself to be on the religious right. I have not replaced doctrines and sacraments with politics, but I also have not replaced doctrine and sacraments with worldly things.

Abortion, while a hot button political issue, SHOULD be a priority issue in churches...not condemning those who have had them, but working to find ways to reduce the want for abortions.

Homosexuality is a growing issue in churches and needs to be addressed in the pulpit - not from a political stance, but from a biblical stance. Don't preach in the pulpits about Prop 8 or whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to marry. Preach about sexual immorality on all sides.

Many Christian liberals demand tolerance and even acceptance of sinful lifestyles. I hardly think that having more of these people in the church will help spread the gospel. It may help fill pews, but the sign of a church doing its work is not whether her pews are filled, but whether the message being preached is of God.

The religious right kind of disgusts me, replacing doctrines and sacraments with political issues. I think that the LCMS would be a lot stronger if we had more confessional liberal people, it seems that this whole religious right/fundamentalist/evangelical wind that's been rushing through American denominations is aliturgical, and overwhelmingly politically conservative.

 

[doulos_tou_kuriou]

If I might share something on the LCMS and other denominations:
In relation to marriage, the LCMS in general is not opposed to most interdenominational marriages.
In terms of leadership they are. In recent years the CoP made it official that no candidate for ordination will be ordained whose spouse is not LCMS or a church in fellowship.
Just my two cents.

Pax

 

[PreachersWife2004]

If I might share something on the LCMS and other denominations:
In relation to marriage, the LCMS in general is not opposed to most interdenominational marriages.
In terms of leadership they are. In recent years the CoP made it official that no candidate for ordination will be ordained whose spouse is not LCMS or a church in fellowship.
Just my two cents.

Pax

Ideally, a pastor's job is preaching the word, and part of that is evangelism. If your wife won't become a Lutheran, what kind of example does that set to those you are evangelizing to? I can kinda understand the principle behind it.

The bible is relatively silent on this issue, other than a statement that a spouse who marries an unbeliever shouldn't divorce them for being an unbeliever.

 

[DaRev]

If I might share something on the LCMS and other denominations:
In relation to marriage, the LCMS in general is not opposed to most interdenominational marriages.
In terms of leadership they are. In recent years the CoP made it official that no candidate for ordination will be ordained whose spouse is not LCMS or a church in fellowship.
Just my two cents.

Pax

The same is true in seminary. If a student is married to a non-LCMS (or partner church) member, he cannot receive a vicarage call, and thus, cannot complete seminary.

 

[Lazerboy]

The same is true in seminary. If a student is married to a non-LCMS (or partner church) member, he cannot receive a vicarage call, and thus, cannot complete seminary.

Whaaat? Why not?

To me, that's just silly. My wife is Presbyterian and I am Baptist, but we are both Christians. It is not denomination which determines if one follows Christ or not.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Whaaat? Why not?

To me, that's just silly. My wife is Presbyterian and I am Baptist, but we are both Christians. It is not denomination which determines if one follows Christ or not.

I think the positives outweigh the negatives, like you would be able to commune your wife, raise your kids in your faith, and be able to fall back on your wife for issues dealing with your own faith. If a house is divided for a member of the clergy it doesn't really help anyone.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Whaaat? Why not?

To me, that's just silly. My wife is Presbyterian and I am Baptist, but we are both Christians. It is not denomination which determines if one follows Christ or not.

Of course...but we're talking about men called by God to serve Christ. The family should be united in that...and when you have two different denominations under your roof, well, that's a bit difficult isn't it?

In your own relationship, why haven't you become a Presbyterian? Why hasn't your wife become a Baptist?

 

[DaRev]

Whaaat? Why not?

To me, that's just silly. My wife is Presbyterian and I am Baptist, but we are both Christians. It is not denomination which determines if one follows Christ or not.

Among other reasons, it would seem a bit awkward for a pastor to not be able to commune his own wife.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Among other reasons, it would seem a bit awkward for a pastor to not be able to commune his own wife.

Unfortunately, most churches outside the Lutheran denomination would not have an issue with this as we do. But yes, this to me would be one of the major reasons.

 

[Lazerboy]

I think the positives outweigh the negatives, like you would be able to commune your wife, raise your kids in your faith, and be able to fall back on your wife for issues dealing with your own faith. If a house is divided for a member of the clergy it doesn't really help anyone.

What house is divided if husband and wife are just in different denominations? Both are still Christians. Both are still striving to serve God. Both are seeking to evangelize. Both would be raising their kids in the Christian faith. Both would be supporting one another. Sorry, I just don't see a problem.

 

[Lazerboy]

Of course...but we're talking about men called by God to serve Christ. The family should be united in that...and when you have two different denominations under your roof, well, that's a bit difficult isn't it?

In your own relationship, why haven't you become a Presbyterian? Why hasn't your wife become a Baptist?

Are not all men called by God to serve Christ? Are we not all to be in the believers-priesthood? I agree, it is best if husband and wife are united in serving Christ.

As for my own relationship, well, hold on, I'll ask her...

She says she is needed at her Korean Presbyterian church because she feels needed in the Sunday School class for handicapped kids which she leads. She has asked the church to find a replacement for her so that she might join me at my church.

As for why I don't join the Presbyterians, well, I don't agree with some of their theology, and the Presbyterian church here in Canada is generally too liberal for my taste.

In any event, I am more and more interested in Lutheran theology and may soon move to a conservative Lutheran church.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Are not all men called by God to serve Christ? Are we not all to be in the believers-priesthood? I agree, it is best if husband and wife are united in serving Christ.

the believers' priesthood is different than the called office of a pastor.

As for my own relationship, well, hold on, I'll ask her...

She says she is needed at her Korean Presbyterian church because she feels needed in the Sunday School class for handicapped kids which she leads. She has asked the church to find a replacement for her so that she might join me at my church.

So not doctrinal differences. That is good to know.

As for why I don't join the Presbyterians, well, I don't agree with some of their theology, and the Presbyterian church here in Canada is generally too liberal for my taste.

And how does your wife feel about this?

In any event, I am more and more interested in Lutheran theology and may soon move to a conservative Lutheran church.

Lutherans got it goin' on!! Green jello, coffee and donuts at bible class...oh, and sound doctrine to boot!

 

[DaRev]

What house is divided if husband and wife are just in different denominations? Both are still Christians. Both are still striving to serve God. Both are seeking to evangelize. Both would be raising their kids in the Christian faith. Both would be supporting one another. Sorry, I just don't see a problem.

As you are aware, different denominations don't teach the same thing. Many have either added to or taken away from the Scriptural truth. It would very difficult for a pastor to have any credibility in the ministry if he can't even convince his own household of the truth, and to allow a heterodox doctrine to be promoted from within his own family.

 

[Lazerboy]

the believers' priesthood is different than the called office of a pastor.

Yes, I realize that. Still, I see no reason why a wife from a different denomination could not be a good support for her pastor husband.

So not doctrinal differences. That is good to know.



And how does your wife feel about this?

Feel about what?

Lutherans got it goin' on!! Green jello, coffee and donuts at bible class...oh, and sound doctrine to boot!

The thing is this... hold on here a second. Green jello? Oh no, this could be a deal breaker.

 

[Lazerboy]

Among other reasons, it would seem a bit awkward for a pastor to not be able to commune his own wife.

Why would he not be able to commune her if she's a Christian in any denomination?