leaving my church

[TCat]

Hey guys bare with me here, I shared my struggles regarding my church in the thread titled Ecclisiastic Authority a few months ago. Since then my husband and I have not made any move to leave our church, but today at lunch we began tossing around the idea that maybe it's time we visit a few churches in the area.
I'm not sure how welcome this topic will be on this particular forum but I know that most of you are strong Christians and will be happy to offer sound advice.
I am not a Lutheran, I am a Christian who is a member of an LCMS church.
Now that my husband and I are considering leaving this particular church I am interested in exploring other churches.
I believe that denomination is less critical than the fact that the Word be taught in truth. That the congregation be growing in the Word and being discipled to grow in their faith as evidenced by the fruit being produced. That Grace and Love be exemplified and Christ be exhaulted above all else.
I love my church and congregation but I struggle each Sunday and am beginning to hate going to church knowing that I am not welcome to serve or even wanted to sit in the pews.
Yes there are other LCMS churches in my city...I wonder if my family might be better off just dropping out of church for a while. My heart does not want to go out on that limb again, loving and being passionately involved in ministry for years only to be told that I was not good enough to be a part but recieving no explanation as to why.
Pity party huh, sorry. I just want to go to a church and be anonomous for a while, be invisble and left alone. At the same time I want to use my gifts and passion to help others see the power and love of God as he transforms lives.

 

[Tangible]

I strongly encourage you to find a new church where the Word of Truth is rightly divided and the Sacraments are properly administered. Personalities and individual church politics aside, I firmly believe that you will only find that in a Confessional Lutheran church.

It may sound all nice and inclusive to say that you are a Christian first and a Lutheran second or whatever, but the simple fact is that if you are a Confessional Lutheran, you are a Christian who holds to the eternal doctrines of the universal church.

Trading all that away to attend a heterodox church makes absolutely no sense to me.

 

[TCat]

You may be right, I believe most of what the LCMS teaches but do not think that no other church also can teach the truth. I do not have enough experience in other churches to know whether what they teach is heterodoxical or not. I know that many churches are not ok but surely there must be some church somewhere that teaches Christ and Him crucified. A church that teaches Truth!

 

[Aibrean]

You need to decide what truth is. Your idea of truth and our idea of truth probably aren't the same. Teaching Christ being crucified doesn't lend anything to salvation. You don't want to find a place that only gives bits and pieces.

 

[TCat]

That may be true Aibrean, I believe what the Bible teaches and not a whole lot else. I have loved my LCMS church because the Truth is taught but unfortunately the leadership is sadly lacking and it has become VERY painful to sit thru sermons that speak of love and leadership that does not. This is not an issue about the LCMS church, however, it is about my heart and need to find a church that teaches truth and leadership that models Christ.
I am not seeking perfect people, but I am seeking shepherds who model humility, grace, mercy, forgiveness and are serious about shepherding flocks of people who desire to grow in faith.
I am simply stating, however inelligantly, my belief that Christians fellowship in various churches and my desire to seek outside of the LCMS if God wills it. I am not moving at all til God approves of the decision but wondered if anyone might have any suggestions?

 

[DaRev]

I believe what the Bible teaches and not a whole lot else.

You have just described Confessional Lutheransim to a 'T'. If you feel that you must leave that particular congregation, that's between you and God. But don't abandon the true Scriptural teachings of the Confessional Lutheran Church. There is a reason that other denoms exist and that Confessional Lutherans are not in fellowship with them. Many dismiss the Lord's clear Scriptural teaching regarding His Sacraments. Others dismiss His clear teaching regarding salvation. And yet others dismiss a plethora of clear Biblical teachings that can have an adverse effect on one's eternal salvation.

 

[TCat]

Thanks Rev, I know of only one other LCMS church in my area and the pastor a close friend of my current pastor. I am afraid I will be condemned before I even get started. I know that sounds silly and paranoid but the truth is stranger than fiction in this case.
Oh my, maybe my family would be better off without a church home for a while. My husband and I can teach teach our children.
Actually there are 4 families in my neighborhood who no longer attend my church, perhaps they would be interested in doing some home church for a while...

 

[Aibrean]

Nah...I switched LCMS churches too and there really isn't a problem. Devon (my husband) works at our old one.

 

[DaRev]

Thanks Rev, I know of only one other LCMS church in my area and the pastor a close friend of my current pastor. I am afraid I will be condemned before I even get started.

That shouldn't be the case. Pastors, by their ordination oath, are sworn to confidentiality. You should be able to approach the pastor of the other church and present your side of the issue with no concerns. And if it does present a problem, report him to the circuit counselor or the DP.

 

[BoC]

Thanks Rev, I know of only one other LCMS church in my area and the pastor a close friend of my current pastor. I am afraid I will be condemned before I even get started. I know that sounds silly and paranoid but the truth is stranger than fiction in this case.
Oh my, maybe my family would be better off without a church home for a while. My husband and I can teach teach our children.
Actually there are 4 families in my neighborhood who no longer attend my church, perhaps they would be interested in doing some home church for a while...

You can't blame Jesus for all the idiots in church but don't forsake the denom that presented the TRUTH, through the Bible, to you

Be carefull of home churching. You can get so caught up in multiple individual interpretations from all the members that it could lead you astray if you aren't firmly grounded in the Word. Home church teachings have a tendency to take verses out of context and it is important
to read the whole chapter or even book.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

That shouldn't be the case. Pastors, by their ordination oath, are sworn to confidentiality. You should be able to approach the pastor of the other church and present your side of the issue with no concerns. And if it does present a problem, report him to the circuit counselor or the DP.

This is true. You're certainly not under discipline, nor under any communion restriction, so a simple transfer should be easy.

Of course, on paper that looks great but I know in reality it doesn't always work that way. Rev is right when he says that if something like that happens to report the clergy, as that would be unprofessional and a breaking of the 8th commandment as far as I know.

 

[TCat]

Thank you for your support and replies, not ready to make that break quite yet but leaning heavily toward leaving. If I had my way, the church leaders would be willing to sit down with my husband and I and speak honestly with grace, humility and forgiveness from all parties so that we could put this hard thing behind us and be in unity together. I keep praying for that but so far...it breaks my heart that this is not the outcome.

I know this is not a denominational issue, or even a "church" issue, it is a personal pride and arrogance issue, probably from both sides, mine included. I pray for God's intervention and mercy.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Thank you for your support and replies, not ready to make that break quite yet but leaning heavily toward leaving. If I had my way, the church leaders would be willing to sit down with my husband and I and speak honestly with grace, humility and forgiveness from all parties so that we could put this hard thing behind us and be in unity together. I keep praying for that but so far...it breaks my heart that this is not the outcome.

I know this is not a denominational issue, or even a "church" issue, it is a personal pride and arrogance issue, probably from both sides, mine included. I pray for God's intervention and mercy.

We'll keep you in our prayers as well.