And that is to the eternal shame of the church. The church should take marriage seriously but become lax so we don't offend sinners. Jesus offended sinners and called them to repentance. We gave up Law and focused on the Gospel because we want people to feel good about their sins.
When you go...
Well, when the pastor asks if anyone objects to the union, there could be some awkwardness....
But joking aside, I was livid at Begg for saying this and doubling down. I want to know which grandkid is gay. He preached one of the best sermons I ever heard (the man in the middle).
But as for...
Honestly, it isn't the donors but the endowment. Every time one of those members died, they probably bequeathed something to the church, meaning there is a lot of cash. Also, the overhead is surprisingly low as the church gets smaller; just a maintenance budget and a pastor's salary are usually...
Basically, yes. I used to work with the CFO of the Gobals, so I have an inside track on this. Basically, the UMC brought an LGBTQEIEIO marriage proposal forward. It was resoundingly defeated in the conference. The "Conservatives" won the day. To avoid bad feelings, the globalists decided to let...
I'm going to keep hanging out with our pastor when we leave. He needs someone to keep him on the straight and narrow. Plus I have a group chat with the pastor, former vicar, and current vicar (and we add the new vicar every year).
I would like to keep going to our services but I cannot for two reasons:
1) It would cause confusion for my kids (which is why when they are grown and gone I will return)
2) Going to the services and not being an active member would be terrible for the church. You are in or out. Halfway in is...
Let me frame it for you this way:
My salvation has only been found in the Lutheran Church, and I believe it to be the most Biblical denomination. I do not discount that salvation can be found outside of the Lutheran church, but I think it is playing Christianity on hard mode.
My wife disagrees...
Thanks.
It is hard to articulate, but since I'm leaving the church it is disingenuous for me to continue participation. I'm walking away from the relationship for the sake of my kid's souls. God doesn't move.
I really identify with Luther. I have the same conscience he did. I think that is why I like Lutheranism. It provides real assurance of salvation. Not just the warm fuzzies, but God providing it for you in absolution and communion.
Church sucks again for me. When you would do anything to have...
I appreciate all the comments.
I even read most of Foszoes :D
I guess in Lutheranism I was awed by the divine. There was finally something there that made me believe that Jesus did love me and that I could have a relationship with him (not in the hippy dippy worship music/Baptist alter call...
I appreciate your openness here. And I agree, you have more faith than I do. It is hard to have less than me.
I'm glad you have assurance of salvation. My wife does as well. I do not. I don't believe I am saved due to some inner feeling. My joy in discovering Lutheran theology was that I no...
Abraham and Moses were circumcised. Baptism has replaced that in identifying you as a believer. Like I said, I'm leaving. I'm no longer going to partake of the forgiveness. Therefore, I will not be a part of the faith. As I've said, assurance is found in the works of God done for me (baptism and...
At the risk of being Frozone, here is an article explaining the thief on the cross from an LCMS perspective:
https://thelutherancolumn.com/2023/03/28/beckett-holy-baptism-what-about-the-thief-on-the-cross/
He does it better than I can.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16).
The condemnation comes with unbelief, not baptism. So there are unbaptized believers, but they are generally the exception, not the rule.