Were you always Baptist?

[Newtheran]

Please understand, I mean no disrespect, but is very rare that Catholic walks away from the Catholic church.

Actually the second largest "denomination" in America is former Catholics. Now this isn't to say that they all go on to join other Christian bodies...many simply walk away from the Christian faith altogether.

 

[NIrelandGillian]

As far as the hymns go...

The Top 25 Hymns Lutherans Sing

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 656/657
Amazing Grace 744
Beautiful Savior 537
Children of the Heavenly Father 725
Crown Him with Many Crowns 525
Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice 556
Go, My Children, with My Blessing 922
God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It 594
I Know That My Redeemer Lives 461
Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure 533
Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus 685
Lift High the Cross 837
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word 655
Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds 465
O Lord, We Praise Thee 617
O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright 395
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded 449/450
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow 805
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 790
Savior of the Nations, Come 332
Silent Night, Holy Night 363
Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness 636
The Church’s One Foundation 644
The Tree of Life 561
Thy Strong Word 578

You should be able to look them up on Youtube; the numbers refer to their numbering in the Lutheran Service Book.

Here's a slightly humorous look at Lutheran hymnody. Slightly.

This is one of my personal favorites...it's a piece sung prior to our service being dismissed after receiving communion at the divine service every week...

"O Lord, now let Your servant
Depart in heav’nly peace,
For I have seen the glory
Of Your redeeming grace:
A light to lead the Gentiles
Unto Your holy hill,
The glory of Your people,
Your chosen Israel."

"Nunc Dimittis
Another Lutheran contribution to the church's liturgy is the use of the Nunc Dimittis as the post-communion canticle: “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace.”

At first glance it appears that we're taking the words of Simeon completely out of context. After all, what does his experience have to do with ours?

How can Holy Communion ever compare to Simeon's unique honor of holding the infant Jesus in his arms during the child's first visit to the temple at the tender age of 40 days (Luke 2:25-38)?

Of course, we would love to have been in the temple and shared in the experience with Simeon. For that matter, we would give anything to have been the first — along with the shepherds — to see the infant Jesus, or to have been with the Magi as they offered their gifts to him.

But, as Luther so insightfully taught, we don't find Christ in those places. Through the events of his incarnation, birth, crucifixion, and resurrection our Lord has accomplished our salvation.

But the benefits of his saving work — forgiveness, life, and salvation — are distributed to us through his means of grace, his Word and Sacraments. We can't go back to stand with Simeon in the temple. The good news is that we don't have to.

So when, following our reception of the Lord's Supper, we sing Simeon's ancient song of faith — “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace” — nothing could be more appropriate. Indeed, our eyes have seen his salvation. Better yet, we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8).

So, what could be better than holding the infant Jesus in our arms? How about eating and drinking his body and blood given for the forgiveness of our sins? This truly is heaven on earth, because here we have Jesus and all his benefits."

Welcome to the Book of Concord

Not sure why that link isn't working for you, perhaps try another web browser or computer?

As far as a 'lot" of Lutherans, not really...just like you don't see a "lot" of Orthodox. As far as confessional Lutheranism goes, our services are relatively long, with weekly participation in the Lord's Supper. We're very similar to the Orthodox in that respect, consider it sort of like grad school for serious Christians. If you're looking for a pop concert and a Sunday morning social hour once a week - or a church that's going to compromise to the culture of the day, we aren't it.

Thanks for the list. I recognize some of them. I checked a couple on YouTube. I noticed, with interest, that the choir was positioned in a gallery behind the congregation - no chance, there, of choir members showing off their finery to the congregation, as I have seen happen.

I can get the Book of Concord ok and the link to Daily Readings appears to be the only link within the Book that doesn't work.

Gillian

 

[Helmut-WK]

I was "born into" the main protestant church (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, EKD) in Germany, which is a federation (is this the right word?) of the former (19th century) state churches in protestant German lands, some Lutheran, few Reformed (Calvinist, Presbyterian) some Uniting (uniert) of Lutheran and Reformed. The Protestant church in the Rhineland (Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland, EKiR) is Uniting, but not (as other churches) in an uniform way, the local congregation may be Lutheran, Reformed or Uniting (I was told that there are five shades in that spectrum!).
When I was about 10, my parents got into contact of a Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaft, a peculiarity of Germany (and maybe some other countries?). In their Silesian home-region (which was given to Poland in 1945) they had been in such a "community", and were glad to find one again.
A Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaft is a sort of denomination within the EKD. The Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaften originated from home gatherings of pious people who missed faith in the Church (see Pietism in Wikipedia, though I see that the description of being "within Lutheranism" is too narrow), but developed (at least some of them) into a "complete" Church which is legally a "free work" within the EKD. This I consider the spiritual home I came from. One thing that is deeply in my "spiritual genes" is the awareness that "my church is not the whole Church of Christ, there are believers in other Churches".

When I did my military service (the first time being not at home for a longer time) I attended a Freie evangelische Gemeinde (Free Evangelical church - AFAIK the British counterpart, though part of the same international Federation, is of a somewhat different flavor). I naturally asked for information about this Church, and when I heard that they practiced believer's baptism, I asked: "So you are Baptists?" - "No, if you want to join a baptist Church, you have to undergo believer's baptism before, but we accept people that regard their infant baptism as valid baptism, though we don't baptize infants." (This was so in Germany, indeed!) I immediately decided: if I ever will undergo believer's baptism, it will be in such a church. For I was unsure in that question, though it was no urgent topic for me.

Some Years later, I decided to be baptized, became member of a Freien evangelischen Gemeinde. and was baptized there. This was a shock to my parents, and because I didn't anticipate it, that was a shock to me ... Well. it didn't have any lasting consequences to the relation to my parents.
And about three decades later, I became a member of a "Oncken" Baptist church (evangelisch-freikirchliche Genḿeinde (Baptisten)). It was a pragmatic decision to move to a church nearby, no theology and no quarrel with anyone involved.

I should add that meanwhile there are not a few Russian-German baptist churches in Germany, and that some of the the "Oncken" Baptists congregations now accept members that did not undergo believer's baptism. But this was no point relevant to my decision, I'd done the move anyway.

This is not my complete "spiritual way", I only told what is related to the question "Were you always Baptist, or how did you become one?"

 

[Helmut-WK]

I've read many post where people church hop.

I associate the term "church hopping" with a person who changes the church he attends in an almost regular manner. Maybe he does not want to be corrected by other Christians and leaves when fellow believers find something out, or maybe he is a person that will always find a fly in the ointment ...

Do you look for a community that agrees with what you believe or does it have more to do with interesting preachers? Thank you for you answers.

When I disregard changes that had external reason (e.g. changing the town), I left a church because I disagreed with beliefs or practices in it.
I'm currently in the home-country of my wife, and there attend to a somewhat different church than in Germany. That is no church-hopping, it is just the result of the insight that the body of Christ (or the Church of Christ) is more than one Church. Denomination is not that important, though there are differences that do matter.

 

[GodLovesCats]

I've read many post where people church hop. Why does that happen? Do you look for a community that agrees with what you believe or does it have more to do with interesting preachers? Thank you for you answers.

This is a very good question. My parents had me baptized as an infant at a Methodist church. Mt dad was not interested in attending church services, but occasionally my mom did, and on those rare times I went with her. I sang in the church choir and rang bells in the bell choir. I went through confirmation classes to be confirmed at age 13. But the whole time, I never understood anything. I remained an atheist until age 17, when my older sister introduced me to the NIV Bible at home while attending Grace Brethren Church.

I was saved at a non-denominational church called Vineyard Columbus (part of the Vineyard Association). They identify themselves as neo-charismatic and evangelical, never using the word Baptist or Pentacostal but clearly leaning that way with church planting, believer baptisms, and casual worship. I love it and will always miss the Vineyard.

 

[Helmut-WK]

I was saved at a non-denominational church called Vineyard Columbus (part of the Vineyard Association).

Funny: You say it was non-denominational, and then go on to mention the denomination (Vineyard).

 

[GodLovesCats]

Funny: You say it was non-denominational, and then go on to mention the denomination (Vineyard).

The Vineyard is non-denominational. "Neo-Charismatic" and "evangelical" are not specific denominations. There is some overlap. And they use both terms, so therre is not a single denominational identity.

But when I did some research, American Baptist really stood out. That is what the Vineyard is closest to if you could put their beliefs in a box.

 

[Helmut-WK]

The Vineyard is non-denominational.

It is the Vineyard denomination, what else?

 

[GodLovesCats]

Since I don't go there anymore (I miss it), the church's identity does not affect what I am.

 

[NIrelandGillian]

I was "born into" the main protestant church (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, EKD) in Germany, which is a federation (is this the right word?) of the former (19th century) state churches in protestant German lands, some Lutheran, few Reformed (Calvinist, Presbyterian) some Uniting (uniert) of Lutheran and Reformed. The Protestant church in the Rhineland (Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland, EKiR) is Uniting, but not (as other churches) in an uniform way, the local congregation may be Lutheran, Reformed or Uniting (I was told that there are five shades in that spectrum!).
When I was about 10, my parents got into contact of a Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaft, a peculiarity of Germany (and maybe some other countries?). In their Silesian home-region (which was given to Poland in 1945) they had been in such a "community", and were glad to find one again.
A Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaft is a sort of denomination within the EKD. The Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaften originated from home gatherings of pious people who missed faith in the Church (see Pietism in Wikipedia, though I see that the description of being "within Lutheranism" is too narrow), but developed (at least some of them) into a "complete" Church which is legally a "free work" within the EKD. This I consider the spiritual home I came from. One thing that is deeply in my "spiritual genes" is the awareness that "my church is not the whole Church of Christ, there are believers in other Churches".

When I did my military service (the first time being not at home for a longer time) I attended a Freie evangelische Gemeinde (Free Evangelical church - AFAIK the British counterpart, though part of the same international Federation, is of a somewhat different flavor). I naturally asked for information about this Church, and when I heard that they practiced believer's baptism, I asked: "So you are Baptists?" - "No, if you want to join a baptist Church, you have to undergo believer's baptism before, but we accept people that regard their infant baptism as valid baptism, though we don't baptize infants." (This was so in Germany, indeed!) I immediately decided: if I ever will undergo believer's baptism, it will be in such a church. For I was unsure in that question, though it was no urgent topic for me.

Some Years later, I decided to be baptized, became member of a Freien evangelischen Gemeinde. and was baptized there. This was a shock to my parents, and because I didn't anticipate it, that was a shock to me ... Well. it didn't have any lasting consequences to the relation to my parents.
And about three decades later, I became a member of a "Oncken" Baptist church (evangelisch-freikirchliche Genḿeinde (Baptisten)). It was a pragmatic decision to move to a church nearby, no theology and no quarrel with anyone involved.

I should add that meanwhile there are not a few Russian-German baptist churches in Germany, and that some of the the "Oncken" Baptists congregations now accept members that did not undergo believer's baptism. But this was no point relevant to my decision, I'd done the move anyway.

This is not my complete "spiritual way", I only told what is related to the question "Were you always Baptist, or how did you become one?"

An interesting journey.

Gillian

 

[carp614]

I grew up in a United Methodist Church. But our family was secular, so the experience was of checking a box.

I attended a couple of charismatic churches in high school. As a Methodist it totally freaked me out.

After we married, I attended Baptist churches wherever we lived. She grew up Baptist and though we tried out a couple of Methodist churches, we both preferred the Baptist church.

I was baptized in Andy Stanley's church, which I think of as Baptist light. When we got tired of the crowds and moved, we got ourselves into a wonderful smaller Baptist congregation. It's a vibrant church with a great pastor whose preaching is solidly biblical. We love serving and attending.

 

[NIrelandGillian]

It's wonderful that you found a church where God's Word is faithfully preached and where you are happy to be involved.

How did you become a Christian?

Gillian

 

[Helmut-WK]

It's wonderful that you found a church where God's Word is faithfully preached and where you are happy to be involved.

How did you become a Christian?

Gillian

Typical newbie error: It is quite unclear which person you refer to. Everyone here?

 

[NIrelandGillian]

Since I was replying to the post immediately above mine, with no other replies in between, I didn't think it necessary to quote that post. I don't know why I am still considered a 'newbie' since I have been a member since 2011.

Gillian

 

[Helmut-WK]

Since I was replying to the post immediately above mine, with no other replies in between, I didn't think it necessary to quote that post.

Ah, I see.

I don't know why I am still considered a 'newbie' since I have been a member since 2011.

Perhaps you should alter the "title" manually? Just enter in "custom title" (in your profile) what you consider appropriate. Why the CF system considers you as a newbie I don't know. Maybe a moderator can explain that?

 

[NIrelandGillian]

Ah, I see.


Perhaps you should alter the "title" manually? Just enter in "custom title" (in your profile) what you consider appropriate. Why the CF system considers you as a newbie I don't know. Maybe a moderator can explain that?

Yes, mods, why am I still considered a newbie? I checked out my profile, but couldn't find 'custom title' anywhere. Gillian

 

[Helmut-WK]

I checked out my profile, but couldn't find 'custom title' anywhere. Gillian

Maybe my description was not precise enough. When I click on my login-name (helmut) on the menu gbar on top of the page, I see a popup with long list of options, the first is "personal details". If I click this, I get to a page where I see "status message, avatar, custom message, gender, ...". This was what I called the "profile", not the page I can see when I click on my (our your) avatar picture (the public profile, which shows no options to change anything).

 

[NIrelandGillian]

I click on my username at the side, then click on Profile Page, but still no 'Personal Details'.

Gillian

 

[Helmut-WK]

I click on my username at the side

Which side?

Clicking on your name left of your post brings you to the public profile, not the settings where you can change it. But on the very top there is "Christian Forums" in big capital letters, and then a menu bar (Home, Forums, Media, Chat ...) with the username right after a gap (followed by Inbox, Alerts, Blessings). Do you need a a screen shot?

 

[NIrelandGillian]

No need - I got you! Will change it right now.