Leaving LCMS

[Breetai]

Has someone been getting into the Lutheran lemonade a bit too early?

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Oh yeah, that bible is HORRIBLE theology.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Has someone been getting into the Lutheran lemonade a bit too early?

I have seen similar comments from young people in almost all denominations. Youth ministries are tough. Youth Ministries in churches has failed in the last 30 years. When we are dealing with "young people", Youth Ministry is probably one of the toughest ministry of all ministries in a local church. When it comes to teenagers, we are to know their culture and their interests in order to spread the Word so the Holy Spirit can convict their hearts to know Christ.

Young people is our future and they will lead for Christ in the future. Our job is to reach out to them and edify them. We will often "rebuke" them for thinking unbiblical doctrines. Its not easy and I have alot respect for youth pastors dealing with the young people's frustrations.

 

[Jim47]

I have seen similar comments from young people in almost all denominations. Youth ministries are tough. Youth Ministries in churches has failed in the last 30 years. When we are dealing with "young people", Youth Ministry is probably one of the toughest ministry of all ministries in a local church. When it comes to teenagers, we are to know their culture and their interests in order to spread the Word so the Holy Spirit can convict their hearts to know Christ.

Young people is our future and they will lead for Christ in the future. Our job is to reach out to them and edify them. We will often "rebuke" them for thinking unbiblical doctrines. Its not easy and I have alot respect for youth pastors dealing with the young people's frustrations.

There is some truth to that Jim. It also brings to mind Jesus parable of the pharisee and the tax collecter who went to the temple to worship. It all boils down to what is in your heart. The tax collecter knew he was sinner and confessed his sin and sought repentance. What we have to fear is the pride in our hearts that keeps us from true repentance instead of just going through the motions as the pharisees did.

I thank The Lord for convicting me of my sin and letting me know that I still have saving faith in Jesus.

 

[JimfromOhio]

There is some truth to that Jim. It also brings to mind Jesus parable of the pharisee and the tax collecter who went to the temple to worship. It all boils down to what is in your heart. The tax collecter knew he was sinner and confessed his sin and sought repentance. What we have to fear is the pride in our hearts that keeps us from true repentance instead of just going through the motions as the pharisees did.

I thank The Lord for convicting me of my sin and letting me know that I still have saving faith in Jesus.

Amen.

 

[LilLamb219]

You may notice some postings missing in this thread. We had reports of flames here, so those were cleaned up as well as postings that quoted and replied to that posting. This thread is cleaned up now

 

[Tofferer]

It is a sad thing to have to leave a church you have come to love, regardless of reason. When Hope and I left the ELCA for theological reasons, we also left behind friends who now wish not to speak to us. It hurt. However, we did make new friends in LCMC and new opportunities to serve Christ opened up. However, the transition wasn't easy, nor do I think it should be. I still remember some of the late night discussion we had regarding why we were considering leaving. Ultimately, it came down to two issues, neither of which I desire to bring up here, but I will answer them via a private message if asked. Likewise, if asked via private message, I will explain the personal reason for why we did not go LCMS, though it is very close to what we believe and we do occasionally visit the local LCMS church out here.

 

[dinkime]

tofferer -- sorry to hear that your friends could/would not understand your choice!

 

[Tofferer]

It doesn't hurt like it did four years ago. Also, it seems that leaving the ELCA helped to open the door for me to attend seminary. I don't know. Perhaps, if it be in God's providence that I become a pastor, some of those same people may end up in a congregation of a church that I am called to. Only the Lord knows for sure.

 

[Jim47]

It doesn't hurt like it did four years ago. Also, it seems that leaving the ELCA helped to open the door for me to attend seminary. I don't know. Perhaps, if it be in God's providence that I become a pastor, some of those same people may end up in a congregation of a church that I am called to. Only the Lord knows for sure.

And that could happen too, we never know what the future holds.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Rad Man,

Although not as widely known we are facing many of the same problems here in LCC.

A number of years ago I very reluctantly, and with much sadness left a congregation which had my immigrant ancestors among their founding members in the 1820's. The reason, a very liberal Pastor. As hard as it was it was the best thing that I could have done.

I fortunately have found my now "HOME" within our Synod, and also have a very Conservative and Confessional Pastor (who likes the same kind of whiskey as I do).

I will be impossible to affect guidance and steadfastness in the LCMS (or LCC for that matter ) if all of us hardassed Lutherans leave.

Please pray on it my friend.

Mark Rohfrietsh.

 

[DaSeminarian]

Back in the 60s when commercials for cigarettes were still allowed, I remember an ad for Tareyton Cigarettes. The commercial showed a man or woman with a black eye and smoking a Tareyton. They would then look at the camera and say "I'd rather fight than switch"

This is how I see myself in the midst of the situation in the LCMS. I am attending a seminary in Fort Wayne, IN and looking forward to getting done in two years and becoming ordained. I care about the LCMS and about the Lutheran Church. I believe that the Confessional Lutheran body has been subjected to bad influences that have tried to take away the uniqueness of our church and make it like everybody else. I would rather fight than switch.

 

[RadMan]

Actually I stayed in the LCMS, for the time being, and transferred to another conservative/confessional church. Most people think I'm off the wall on my decision because I joined Herman Otten's church.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I think you're off the wall for other reasons, though!! j/k, of course!!

I'm all for people staying and fighting, but at the same time, there will come a time when fighting isn't doing anything but banging a head on a brick wall.

Many see a split forming in the WELS. If that happens, it is likely that those from Michigan would probably re-form the Michigan Synod. Do I want to see that happen? Nope, but I'd want for sure to be on theologically sound side when it does happen.

The more we stay abreast of controversies and such going on in our synods, the better informed we are and maybe, just maybe, the better we can affect change, if not in our synod then in our individual churches.

I've been praying a lot for ALL of our Lutheran synods lately.

 

[RadMan]

It runs in the family. My oldest is a self proclaimed prophet of the "end times" and my youngest is a political activist and organizes demonstrations..

 

[LutheranChick]

I think you're off the wall for other reasons, though!! j/k, of course!!

I'm all for people staying and fighting, but at the same time, there will come a time when fighting isn't doing anything but banging a head on a brick wall.

Many see a split forming in the WELS. If that happens, it is likely that those from Michigan would probably re-form the Michigan Synod. Do I want to see that happen? Nope, but I'd want for sure to be on theologically sound side when it does happen.

The more we stay abreast of controversies and such going on in our synods, the better informed we are and maybe, just maybe, the better we can affect change, if not in our synod then in our individual churches.

I've been praying a lot for ALL of our Lutheran synods lately.

If you don't mind my asking, what controversy is threatening a split in WELS? Is it the same one that ELS has been dealing with?

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I don't think it boils down to one controversy. WELS is still pretty thick with doctrine, so it's not really that.

I think it has mainly to do with the synodical offices. Too many people want to run WELS like a business when it's not, and we've lost not only money but members because of it.

I only hear bits and pieces, from circuit meetings and pastoral get-togethers, but what I hear is that there are plenty that are displeased with the way things have been run. Rev. Gurgle opted to not re-run for president this year, and I think a big part of that was coming from pressure from various circuits.

Will the split happen in the near future? I don't think so, and with new blood in the synodical offices, it may not have to happen, actually.

The WELS is still very blessed to hold to its doctrines, thankfully. We only have God to thank for that!

To be honest, I wasn't aware that the ELS was having problems...care to enlighten? I attend an ELS church in the summer when I go visit my mom and dad's vacation spot up north in Sutton's Bay and have gotten to know the pastor there pretty well (before I met my husband some of the ladies were trying to fix us up!!) so any problems in the ELS will affect my family, at least during the summer.

 

[LutheranChick]

I'm not an expert on the subject, but it has to do with the Office of Public Ministry. A few pastors in our synod (some who came over from LCMS) have taken a different stance on who should be 'called', and at least one congregation (that I know of) has left the synod, and one Pastor (that I know of) has been suspended. It's a pretty complicated situation, and one that really saddens me as I have friends who are on the other side of the 'fence' in this, so to speak, and because it is causing divisions within the synod. If you google "office of public ministry and ELS" you will probably come up with details.

 

[filosofer]

[FONT= "Book Antiqua"]
I think there have been ~8 congregations/pastors who have either been forced out or resigned in the past year.

ACLC Info

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[LutheranChick]

That is most likely true - I don't keep up on exactly who is doing what, but I did hear that they were forming their own synod. Like PW said - I pray for all our synods.