Lutheran pastor, here.

[philm46atthews]

Hello:
I'm new to the forum & just wanted to say 'hi.'

Call me paranoid, but I'm using an alias.
Right now I'm just a jumbled up mess of contradictory thoughts/feelings about the whole visible church affiliation thing--to say nothing of my vocation, etc. etc. etc.

Well, that's really all for now.

I'm glad you're here!



pm

[JohnL]

Welcome; I was Lutheran myself, with an M.Div. from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.
Along your journey here, I am sure you will see what I and all on the forum found and are finding with the Catholic Church, and the RCC in particular.  
Share your contradictory thoughts; the "visible church affiliation thing" is a VERY important theological topic to have clear in your mind.

[David W. Emery]

I'm glad you're here!

The sentiment is mutual.

We expect contradictory thoughts and feelings of people who are truly wrangling with God’s will.

We do encourage clergy to register with the apostolate’s main office (link is on the CHNI home page) for direct assistance. This doesn’t mean you can’t also participate in the forum. We have people who like to do both (one currently in RCIA with family) and have found it works out well. It’s your decision.

David

[Credo Catholic]

Welcome to the forum PM.  It's the contradictory thoughts that make it interesting!  As a former Baptist, I'm still trying to shake the Once Saved Always Saved syndrome.  That's contradictory for me, since I vowed to accept and believe the teachings of the Catholic Church which teach that mortal sin can send me to hell.  I can't wrap my mind around that, as they say.  Anyway, we are glad you are here.  God bless

[Estelle]

Dear PM,
Welcome
We're glad you're here too!
In His arms,
Estelle

[Pange Lingua]

Thank you for being here, PM.

Even for those of us who have made the decision to enter the RCC, the journey continues, questions continue to pop up, and there are always things to learn and un-learn. As odd as it sounds, it's really sort of an immigrant's journey. Or simply, as I consider it, the pursuing of the will of God wherever that will leads.

Blessings,

= Michael

[philm46atthews]

Welcome; I was Lutheran myself, with an M.Div. from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.
Along your journey here, I am sure you will see what I and all on the forum found and are finding with the Catholic Church, and the RCC in particular.  
Share your contradictory thoughts; the "visible church affiliation thing" is a VERY important theological topic to have clear in your mind.

Hi.....thanks for the welcome. Not ready to disclose my sem just yet. I know, sounds so cloak-n-dagger, but it's just that if you know the Lutherans, you know that it's actually a fairly small world & pretty easy to start putting two & two together.

I COULD talk a lot about what I feel tugging me to the RCC, & I could talk a little about some of my [very few] theological hurdles, but I'm just going to be blunt & say that the biggest thing that's holding me back is that by converting I de facto LOSE MY INCOME. That's huge, but when you add to that the fact that most clergy count on a retirement of doing the same thing they did as active pastors, only to a lesser degree & more on their personal terms, not only am I looking at losing my income but also losing my perfect 'retirement job.'
In other words, in the Protestant world I've given my life to the church & to a certain degree God has honored that [the worker being worthy of a wage]. But unless I'm missing something.....it appears to me that if I convert....I may be able to utilize my gifts/talents/education in a parish volunteerism sort of way, but I'll be at square zero in terms of livelihood/retirement.  

Ok, maybe "the truth" & coming home to the one holy Catholic & apostolic church is supposed to be worth *some* sacrifice, but......THIS IS THE MAJOR HURDLE for me.

pm

[David W. Emery]

Career change is always a major concern for clergy. This is what the CHNI office people specialize in. If you haven’t already registered with them, that is where you need to start. You will find the best help available in this field right there.

Theological hurdles can be handled either here on the forum or through the office, your choice. The forum is mostly non-technical, due to the type of inquirer that frequents it. Office personnel are more theologically sophisticated, which well educated clergy sometimes need.

David

[Pani Rose]

Welcome to the forum PM.  Actually there seems to be a good many Luthren and Episcopal clergy who have come into the Church as priest or sometime afterwards received ordination.  So don't count God out on anything, He is just full of wonderful supprises.  Also, many clergy find very active 'paying' rolls in the life of the Catholic Church.  I really think God is bringing you guys and your talents into the Church to help stir up the flames.

[Proverb16:7]

Greetings P M,  

Welcome to the forum.   Glad to have you here, and to have you join the journey with us.   There are no stupid questions, just ones not asked!

[Dave Armstrong]

Welcome, PM. I hope we can be of some comfort and assistance to you in your journey. Income for pastors thinking of becoming Catholic is, as is understandable, a major concern. We have often had people here in the same boat you are in. It must be very scary indeed.

It's difficult to see light at the end of the tunnel when you are in that situation, but I can attest that we (at this forum, and at CHNI in general) have seen the Lord make a way for many dozens of former pastors. God honors the faithfulness and the courage of those who even put their livelihood on the line to follow truth as they see it. I have such admiration for that.

So, my message is one of encouragement that God can (and I believe, will) make a way for you. He'll provide your needs. You're in the right place. We here at CHNI can help you to find a way. Like David said, the office is more concentrated on helping to find solutions for clergy in your situation.

We can offer moral support and empathy as well, and of course, discussion on any theological issues.

[Harja]

Hello PM, and greetings

Welcome to the forum brother.

I am a former Lutheran pastor myself who was a "Closet Catholic" for a long time, even after burning out, getting told that I have gifts that are of the Lord but the Lutheran church can't use them...

At this time I am a humble English teacher, and getting buy mostly on Social Insurance.

Since my conversion I have made it clear that I am available and am still waiting to see what God has in mind for me but since I am still here, He is not done with me yet.

[philm46atthews]

Hello PM, and greetings

Welcome to the forum brother.

I am a former Lutheran pastor myself who was a "Closet Catholic" for a long time, even after burning out, getting told that I have gifts that are of the Lord but the Lutheran church can't use them...

At this time I am a humble English teacher, and getting buy mostly on Social Insurance.

Since my conversion I have made it clear that I am available and am still waiting to see what God has in mind for me but since I am still here, He is not done with me yet.

Hi
Thanks for the note!
Thanks, also, to everyone else for the words of welcome/encouragement.

Just some quick thoughts about 'registering,' as several people have encouraged me to do....
Perhaps that's how I can get some of my REAL BIGGIES answered regarding vocation etc., but I wasn't really sure that registering under an 'alias' would (a) be allowed or (b) even really be that helpful....and I just can't give up my alias yet.

pm

[Intercessor]

Hello, PM.  Welcome to the forum.  

I understand your concerns about being identified at this stage.  There will be no problem with your continuing with an alias here on the forum.  Perhaps through a phone call (what is it--star 67 or star 69--which blocks the number from which one is calling?) you can receive assurances from the staff at the CHNI office that your identity will be protected.  They have had lots of experience in dealing with ministers who could not afford to have their congregations/employers aware of the journey being contemplated.

Be assured that we will be praying for you during these days of anxiety and difficulty.  Through the search button above you may be able to locate threads of interest.  However, we always hope for questions as well.  

May the peace of Christ reign in your heart.
Becky

[Steven Barrett]

Lutheran Pastor, the way you introduced yourself reminds me of Boston radio talk show host Howie Carr's "witness protection" device allowing callers to have their voice garbled and mixed up. It's a riot.  But a lot of people use it to keep their PC bosses up here, and we've got a ton of up 'em up in New England from sniffing out today's "non-conformists."   I was that way at a Baptist Church I belonged to for a decade.  And Marsha, don't let that OSAS stuff keep buggin' ya. All it took was more than a few of the church's more respected serious members to nod in agreement that so long as Hitler and Stalin were baptized Christians, (Catholic and Orthodox) they'd be in Heaven. Helluva thought and I couldn't wait for THE MOMENT. But in the meantime, I had to settle for a coffee and bathroom breakout excuse. Just say to yourself,  OSAS equals believing that Uncles Adi and Joe will be awaiting you UP THERE.

Yeah, sure.  Now if THAT THOUGHT doesn't dispell OSAS... I'll have to come up with another. Well, Castro was baptized, too.