Please release me, let me go...

[Studeclunker]

I was speaking to the Pastor at the local WELS church on Sunday about joining his congregation and he mentioned that it may take some time for the LCMS to release me. I said, "Excuse me? Since when do I have to ask permission to leave a denomination?" He said that's just the way things are done. I've never heard of such a thing.

Anyone else know about this?

I explained to him that I couldn't abide with the Ablaze programme. That the situation had become completely untennable. He said that untill the LCMS formally releases me I wouldn't be able to commune. It floored me. Also, his indoctrination classes take sixteen weeks! Oi, vay! So at this rate, it might be 2011 before I can take communion again. That just doesn't make sense to me. Pity of it is that there just doesn't seem to be much choice to me as there's just the one LCMS church in a hundred mile radius and these two WELS churches (well, besides the ELCA churches which I'd rather have nothing to do with). You think maybe he's trying to get rid of me?

 

[seajoy]

No, the WELS is not trying to get rid of you. Have you sent a letter to the LCMS church requesting a release of membership? This must be done first. Also remember - LCMS and WELS are not in fellowship together. Thus your need for classes. Look at it as a wonderful chance to hear God's Word again. I've taken instruction again from an LCMS church when we joined there (about 20yrs ago)....it was a real blessing for me.

I hope everything falls together for you soon. God loves you and will have things happen in their proper time.

 

[QuiltAngel]

No, the WELS is not trying to get rid of you. Have you sent a letter to the LCMS church requesting a release of membership? This must be done first.

This is correct. The thing that may take time is how the particular church deals with it after they receive the letter. Some hold them until an Elder's or Voter's meeting. Others, the Pastor will get with the Elder's right away and the send the letter to the new church. My Pastor does it the latter way, then as part of his report at the Voter's meeting, includes membership changes.

By doing this, you won't be on the membership list of more than one church either. Your first church won't be left second guessing your membership, now or in the future.

As far as communion, could you ask the Pastor if you can receive communion after you have studied that section? He may or may not allow it then.

 

[RadMan]

I agree with Stude. If he hadn't mentioned that he was LCMS he wouldn't have to be released and then could attend indoctrination classes. It's like Stude is being jeopardized for being LCMS. Even a heathen doesn't need a release from anything and can just take the classes. This is weird.

 

[seajoy]

But it's the way it's always been done, Rad. You know Lutherans.

 

[seajoy]

I agree with Stude. If he hadn't mentioned that he was LCMS he wouldn't have to be released and then could attend indoctrination classes. It's like Stude is being jeopardized for being LCMS. Even a heathen doesn't need a release from anything and can just take the classes. This is weird.

Also, if he didn't tell that he belonged to an LCMS church, what is it he would have told his new pastor? I'm WELS, just trust me on this? Then would come the questions of which WELS church he belonged, and would cause poor Stude to have to start lying. Which I know he would not do. "Things need to be done desently and in order." (can't remember where this verse is found, sorry).

 

[RadMan]

Also, if he didn't tell that he belonged to an LCMS church, what is it he would have told his new pastor? I'm WELS, just trust me on this? Then would come the questions of which WELS church he belonged, and would cause poor Stude to have to start lying. Which I know he would not do. "Things need to be done desently and in order." (can't remember where this verse is found, sorry).

Hey SIs. I didn't say anything about lying. I said that Stude would have gotten a better reception if he was heathen. Then all he would have to go through is indoctrination classes and no transfer.

 

[seajoy]

Hey SIs. I didn't say anything about lying. I said that Stude would have gotten a better reception if he was heathen. Then all he would have to go through is indoctrination classes and no transfer.

Sorry I used that reason....I see now what you were saying.

 

[porterross]

This sounds bizarre to me, too. What happens if the LCMS congregation refuses to release his membership? Can they, in effect, hold his communion status hostage?

 

[QuiltAngel]

This sounds bizarre to me, too. What happens if the LCMS congregation refuses to release his membership? Can they, in effect, hold his communion status hostage?

I suppose they could, but why? Why keep someone on the membership who has stated they do not want to be a member? I don't know of any that will do that.

 

[Studeclunker]

Porter, that's my question exactly! I could care less what the LCMS does or doesn't do. Same with the congregation I'm now leaving. Still, a letter of resignation is only fair. I suppose... The pastor verbally released me already, "If that's how you feel led, then God bless you," was his response. Still, the Pastor at the WELS church indicated he wouldn't commune either myself or Paula till we completed the sixteen week course. He also inidcated it typically takes eighteen months before LCMS will release me. It's like being spitefully held hostage by a synod that has failed to do their job and doesn't want to face losing members.

Sigh. I can't abide with the current policies of Ablaze and refuse to attend at a church where I'm angry during service any longer. At the same time, there are nagging doubts about this jumping ship. Should I stay and initiate a church fight over this? The sowing of conflict is something I just can't, in good concience, do. Yet... is just leaving the right thing to do as well???

Oi, vay. Now I'm second guessing myself...

 

[ctay]

I need to do a follow up myself, the pastor of the church I am going to now was supposed to talk to the lay person at the church I was going to and tell him to transfer me. Knowing this church, it will probably take them a year to send the transfer but I do need to see if the pastor actually talked to him. Good thing I can take communion though without have to wait for the transfer.

 

[porterross]

I suppose they could, but why? Why keep someone on the membership who has stated they do not want to be a member? I don't know of any that will do that.

Right, so why is it an issue? Without a protocol and requirement of release between two synods not in communion (which makes it that much more odd), it wouldn't be, which is what's puzzling me.

 

[porterross]

Porter, that's my question exactly! I could care less what the LCMS does or doesn't do. Same with the congregation I'm now leaving. Still, a letter of resignation is only fair. I suppose... The pastor verbally released me already, "If that's how you feel led, then God bless you," was his response. Still, the Pastor at the WELS church indicated he wouldn't commune either myself or Paula till we completed the sixteen week course. He also inidcated it typically takes eighteen months before LCMS will release me. It's like being spitefully held hostage by a synod that has failed to do their job and doesn't want to face losing members.

That's ridiculous, Stude. I feel for you. Hopefully, a pone call to the pastor will speed up whatever documentation the WELS is looking for to get you on your way.


As for membership numbers, I can assure the local LCMS church here doesn't take much care in keeping up with a roster and what the synod reports on the website is so far out of line it's not funny. Disorganization can truly become a disease and it's not pleasant to witness.

In our case, if being released is by the LCMS is something the ELCE requires, no one has indicated it to us. We're already on their new membership directory and I'm very impressed with the communication network in place. Of course, the ELCE and LCMS are in full communion.

 

[DaRev]

I like how a WELS pastor seems to know so much about the LCMS. Just proves they don't know as much as they think they do.

In effect, once you have requested a release of membership, your membership has ended. The "official release" of your congregation is a formality that is more for their records than your membership. They need to have record of that for district and synodical purposes.

 

[DaRev]

In our case, if being released is by the LCMS is something the ELCE requires, no one has indicated it to us. We're already on their new membership directory and I'm very impressed with the communication network in place. Of course, the ELCE and LCMS are in full communion.

Since the LCMS and ELCE are in full fellowship, no "release" is necessary. It would simply be a transfer of membership, as it would be from one LCMS congregation to another.

 

[porterross]

Since the LCMS and ELCE are in full fellowship, no "release" is necessary. It would simply be a transfer of membership, as it would be from one LCMS congregation to another.

Yes, but there's been no pastor at the local congregation for several months now and I assume someone needs to be notified we've transferred, right?

 

[ctay]

Yes, but there's been no pastor at the local congregation for several months now and I assume someone needs to be notified we've transferred, right?

Is there not an Interim pastor at that church? Usually a pastor in a curcuit acts as an Interim pastor. The church I left had one.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Porter, that's my question exactly! I could care less what the LCMS does or doesn't do. Same with the congregation I'm now leaving. Still, a letter of resignation is only fair. I suppose... The pastor verbally released me already, "If that's how you feel led, then God bless you," was his response. Still, the Pastor at the WELS church indicated he wouldn't commune either myself or Paula till we completed the sixteen week course. He also inidcated it typically takes eighteen months before LCMS will release me. It's like being spitefully held hostage by a synod that has failed to do their job and doesn't want to face losing members.

Sigh. I can't abide with the current policies of Ablaze and refuse to attend at a church where I'm angry during service any longer. At the same time, there are nagging doubts about this jumping ship. Should I stay and initiate a church fight over this? The sowing of conflict is something I just can't, in good concience, do. Yet... is just leaving the right thing to do as well???

Oi, vay. Now I'm second guessing myself...

You're leaving the LCMS over liturgical issues, I've always heard that the WELS have quite low church services, even with some pastors just wearing the black graduation robe thingys. Sorry I guess the proper Mass is one of my pet peeves. As I've stated before the ELCA may be your best bet if they don't start ordaining gay non-celibate people. If they do then WELS would be perfect for your situation.

 

[seajoy]

I like how a WELS pastor seems to know so much about the LCMS. Just proves they don't know as much as they think they do.

Yep, we WELS'ers are pretty stupid.