Please release me, let me go...

[seajoy]

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.

How many WELS services have you been to? What's up with all the WELS bashing?

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

How many WELS services have you been to? What's up with all the WELS bashing?

Low church services aren't bad...they're just not for me. No WELS bashing here.

 

[DaRev]

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?

I would assume whoever is handling the vacancy should be able to do that, or at least someone at Cambridge should know.

 

[DaRev]

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.

They already do that.

There's more to a church than just the liturgy. If that's all you go for, then you have bigger issues. Why not just attend the Roman Catholic Church or the Anglican Church or an EO? The ELCA is no more Lutheran than any of those.

 

[seajoy]

Low church services aren't bad...they're just not for me. No WELS bashing here.

You still didn't answer my question. How many WELS services have you been to?

 

[seajoy]

They already do that.

There's more to a church than just the liturgy. If that's all you go for, then you have bigger issues. Why not just attend the Roman Catholic Church or the Anglican Church or an EO? The ELCA is no more Lutheran than any of those.

good post

 

[QuiltAngel]

Studeclunker,
I am not sure why the Pastor is saying it takes 18 months. Not sure what he is basing that one. As I said, this is usually taken care of pretty quickly and if it takes 18 months, one should be contacting that Pastor to find out why.

 

[filosofer]

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?

No, they can't. They may want to talk with the person. But they can't hold the person hostage. He is not under discipline, so they can't use that either.

It may look bad from the Ablaze perspective by "losing a member." But in reality the congregation has already lost Stude.

 

[seajoy]

No, they can't. They may want to talk with the person. But they can't hold the person hostage. He is not under discipline, so they can't use that either.

It may look bad from the Ablaze perspective by "losing a member." But in reality the congregation has already lost Stude.

Thanks for some sanity in this thread, filo.

And yes, I'm cranky tonight.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

You still didn't answer my question. How many WELS services have you been to?

0, the closest congregation is like 70 miles away, if you are non WELS you cannot commune nor pray, so are non WELS even allowed at a WELS church? When would I get the chance lol?

 

[QuiltAngel]

0, the closest congregation is like 70 miles away, if you are non WELS you cannot commune nor pray, so are non WELS even allowed at a WELS church? When would I get the chance lol?

Why wouldn't a non WELS member be allowed in a WELS church? Since we are not in fellowship with WELS, no we can't commune. I will let our WELS members reply to most of this, but I am thinking you need to learn more about the WELS.

 

[filosofer]

Yes, there is more to the issue about prayer than indicated as well. WELS does not join in the prayers of others, but others are encouraged to pray when led by a WELS pastor. So, you could easily attend, participate, etc., just not communion.

 

[seajoy]

0, the closest congregation is like 70 miles away, if you are non WELS you cannot commune nor pray, so are non WELS even allowed at a WELS church? When would I get the chance lol?

WELS cannot commune in an LCMS church either. Are you ELCA? If so, you are not allowed to have your opinions in this part of the forum. You are very welcome in a WELS church, and I take offence to how you are treating my Synod.

Your lol at the end was very indicative of your age level. Just remember, not everything is a joke.

 

[seajoy]

Thanks Quilty and filo, for your kind and accurate remarks on the WELS.

 

[porterross]

I would assume whoever is handling the vacancy should be able to do that, or at least someone at Cambridge should know.

There isn't an official vacancy, just an absent pastor in training. Honestly, I don't think my ELCE pastor is too worried about things on this end. He has our baptism and confirmation certs. and that seemed to be good enough.

No, they can't. They may want to talk with the person. But they can't hold the person hostage. He is not under discipline, so they can't use that either.

It may look bad from the Ablaze perspective by "losing a member." But in reality the congregation has already lost Stude.

We all realize this, but I am still puzzled as to why the WELS pastor seems stuck on it. Might it be more a matter of testing his resolve or learning whether or not there is a discipline matter? If he's truly that concerned about Stude's status, why couldn't he call the LCMS pastor himself?

 

[DaRev]

WELS cannot commune in an LCMS church either.

I have communed WELS visitors before.

 

[DaRev]

There isn't an official vacancy, just an absent pastor in training.

"Absent pastor in training"??? That sounds too familiar.
I remember filling in once for an "absent pastor in training".

Honestly, I don't think my ELCE pastor is too worried about things on this end. He has our baptism and confirmation certs. and that seemed to be good enough.

Usually the only other thing that would accompany them would be a letter of transfer from your previous congregation. But knowing how well things operate there, I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[seajoy]

I have communed WELS visitors before.

I thought it didn't used to be that way...but I'll take your word for it.

 

[dinkime]

I have communed WELS visitors before.

and when i have mentioned LCMS churches communing those outside of fellowship with them, i was told (by an LCMS pastor here) that they should be disciplined....hmm...

 

[dinkime]

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.

almost all the WELS services i have been to (conventions, etc) have been more high church -- the only "low" church services i have been to are LCMS and ELCA...so please do not stereo type what you may not have experienced.