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brbert02
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
| First Name: | Brandon | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | lutheran- wisconsin and missouri synods, Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 01:01 am |
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Well I grew up in a Wisconsin Lutheran (WELS) family and came home in 2003. As i said in the intro I also spent some time in the missouri synod but all in all I was a WELS Lutheran and my family still is. I wasn't really practicing anything when I began looking into the church and didn't really answer all the questions I should have before entering the Church so I have had to answer them since then. Long story short I'm just looking for folks from similar backgrounds who may be able to share their experience and help me in my continued growth in the faith. thank you and God bless you all
Brandon
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 854 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 01:34 am |
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Hi, Brandon. Welcome to the forum.
We do have at least one member with a LC-MS background. (probably more)
She will probably notice your post fairly soon.
We have other folks here who do a beautiful job with questions about doctrine and theology if you'd like to ask them some questions.
Glad you're here.
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 597 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 02:45 am |
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I don't know if Becky was talking about me, but our family was and one still is LCMS. I wasn't in it for very long. Back in 2001, I was quite interested in pursuing the Catholic Church - we had been Ev Free prior - and when I expressed my interest, the family said, "No way!" and so becoming Lutheran was a compromise. Sacramental, but no Pope, yada yada yada....
However, there is another fellow who's posted here a few times, DaQuodJubes? who was a pastor in the LCMS. I hope he'll drop in because he'd probably be a great one for you to talk to.
The LCMS is in such an uproar, like so much of Protestantism. If there is such turmoil in the CC, I hope I never hear about it. It's terribly disconcerting. The comforting part about being Catholic is that, with a Pope and a Magisterium and the Catechism and other documents, there is a place where the buck stops. At least that's how it seems to me. The Protestant Church doesn't have a Pope; it has millions of them.
Jill
____________________
"The alternative to obedience is to turn the conversation into a cacophony of Christians making it up as they go along." - Fr. Richard John Neuhaus
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DaQuodJubes
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 31st, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 11 |
| First Name: | Dan | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Former Lutheran |
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Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 06:48 pm |
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Hi Brandon,
I'm a former LCMS pastor, and became Catholic this last Easter Vigil. Just let me know how I can help. Feel free to PM me.
Dan
____________________
God in His omnipotence could not give more,
in His wisdom He knew not how to give more,
in His riches He had not more to give,
than the Eucharist. - St. Augustine
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abbycat
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Abby | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | non-specified |
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Posted: Thu Mar 27th, 2008 02:03 pm |
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Hi there .... My history is not either MS or WS, but my two very dearest friends are. I am presently a member of the ELCA. As I've gone along and studied the Lutheran roots and original beliefs, I am amazed at how parallel they are to the beliefs of the RC Church. If followed closely, there is very little difference. Unfortunately, the ELCA, in general, does not follow this tradition closely, which is its great loss. My pastor was a former Catholic Priest who married a woman who was a former Catholic Nun, so he can bring a lot of the rich tradition and ritual to our services. Sadly, the ELCA in general is not heading in that direction.
abby
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<*)))><
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panama
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 |
| Location: | Panama |
| Posts: | 5 |
| First Name: | Thomas | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lutheran LCMS |
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 02:22 pm |
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Hola:
I am presently LCMS. I'm a lifelong Lutheran who consideres myself as more of a reformed Catholic than protestant. I am presently in the process of backing away from the LCMS as I've grown tired of the fighting over the direction they are going.
My wife , of 20 yrs. , and my daughter , 17 , are both Catholic and with that and my own beliefs it is the obvios direction to go. There are no shortage of Churches here but a lack of instruction in English , so I'm learning mostly from the internet. Need all the help I can get.
Thomas
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4971 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 02:41 pm |
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panama wrote: Hola:
And  to you, too! We're glad to have you here with us, and we'll do our best to answer any questions you might have. Pull up a chair, take your shoes off, and sit a spell.
And have a piece of pie and a cup of coffee, too! 
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1216 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 09:06 pm |
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Hi Brandon,
Welcome to our forum. I think you'll like it here.
I wasn't formally Lutheran, but I do have an extensive web page about Luther and Lutherans that may be of some use to you. I've engaged in many completely cordial, enjoyable dialogues with Lutherans (including an ongoing one with two LCMS pastors). It's the Protestant denomination that I admire the most.
I also don't only disagree with and criticize Martin Luther. I have about 20 papers where I agree with him or defend him against a bum rap, and in fact I am currently writing a book about him where the final third or so will highlight things where Catholics can happily agree with him.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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abbycat
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Abby | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | non-specified |
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 10:56 pm |
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Hi Dave .... I just checked out your Luther website (and actually ordered a book about the Early Church Fathers), and I saw your tartan and insignia. Interesting ..... I, too, am a Scotchman ... MacPherson ... small world.
abby
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4971 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 12:40 am |
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abbycat wrote: I saw your tartan and insignia.
But the important question is who looks better in a kilt, and who can rock better with a set of bagpipes. 
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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DaQuodJubes
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 31st, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 11 |
| First Name: | Dan | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Former Lutheran |
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 03:42 am |
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Hi Thomas,
I know exactly what you mean with regard to the fighting and misdirection of the LCMS. I had been frustrated with the LCMS for a long long time, not only with the synodical politics, but also on the congregational level. The LCMS is not even faithful to it's own confessional documents, and unfortunately, the situation for a return is hopeless. It can never happen now. It will only get worse. Joining the Catholic Church was extremely liberating.
I had been misinformed about what the Catholic Church actually teaches on many, many issues. The internet was a great help for me in setting it straight, as well as reading the catechism with an unbiased eye. (I had only looked at it before looking for evidence to back up my misconceptions, and was always able to find something which seemed to back up that misconception.
It has been great to be able to find several answers to my questions with a simple google search. Not everything was helpful. But much of it was.
I'll keep you in my prayers, and if you need any help from a former LCMS pastor, you need only ask.
Dan
____________________
God in His omnipotence could not give more,
in His wisdom He knew not how to give more,
in His riches He had not more to give,
than the Eucharist. - St. Augustine
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1216 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Apr 3rd, 2008 07:09 pm |
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But the important question is who looks better in a kilt, . . .
I'm sure Abby would!  I plead no contest there . . .
Thanks, Abby for ordering my book and checking out my blog. Hope you like it. I've put a lot of work  into it.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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abbycat
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Abby | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | non-specified |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 12:10 am |
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Hi Dave ... it's a good website with a lot more information than I could possibly imagine ... a lot of work for sure. Thanks for the time and energy you put into it for the rest of us.
abby
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panama
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 |
| Location: | Panama |
| Posts: | 5 |
| First Name: | Thomas | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lutheran LCMS |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 08:15 am |
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DaQuodJubes wrote: Hi Thomas,
I know exactly what you mean with regard to the fighting and misdirection of the LCMS. I had been frustrated with the LCMS for a long long time, not only with the synodical politics, but also on the congregational level. The LCMS is not even faithful to it's own confessional documents, and unfortunately, the situation for a return is hopeless. It can never happen now. It will only get worse. Joining the Catholic Church was extremely liberating.
I had been misinformed about what the Catholic Church actually teaches on many, many issues. The internet was a great help for me in setting it straight, as well as reading the catechism with an unbiased eye. (I had only looked at it before looking for evidence to back up my misconceptions, and was always able to find something which seemed to back up that misconception.
It has been great to be able to find several answers to my questions with a simple google search. Not everything was helpful. But much of it was.
I'll keep you in my prayers, and if you need any help from a former LCMS pastor, you need only ask.
Dan
Hola Dan:
I have been too frustrated for too long. I've resigned my positions , finally. (congregational Pres. for 4 yrs. etc.) It seems they are going for a church "growth" business model that counts the attendence and the money but ignores the soul. And has led to a growth of -33% by the way.
I agree it is hopeless.
As you put it elsewere:
The Liturgy, The Biblical Teaching on the Eucharist (which left out everything but Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and perhaps Anglicans), and the right understanding on Justification,
Iv'e been on a few forums discussing doctrine with primarily Baptists and Reformed. This has led to reading the Ante-Nicene Fathers and general Catholic doctrine. (New Advent) The more I read the more I accept the Catholic views.
I have been to Mass many times with my family. I think the only real sticking points are Mariology and confession.
Thomas
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abbycat
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Abby | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | non-specified |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 01:17 pm |
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Panama ..... I am really surprised at what you said about the church going for the growth, numbers model. I would have never suspected about the MS. My church (at present) which is in the ELCA - admittedly waaay out on the edge - has been pushing this for about 2 years, much to my dismay. It is all about "out there" .... numbers, and I am so tired of hearing about programs, etc. from these mega-churches like Saddleback and Willow Creek, that I could just leave and never go back. You see I was part of a mega-church for over 12 years and very much in that evangelistic/charismatic mindset. Now, to see it taking over the church to which I belong once again ... well, it's very, very, discouraging. Don't get me wrong ... I do believe we need to share our faith, but somewhere there is a balance between the "out there" and the internal spiritual world we all need to be cultivating and nourishing. And, it seems in the reaching out to the "out there" ... we lose much of what is precious and heart-reaching .... that being the deeply spiritual and sacred liturgical readings, which so many of us have just come to appreciate.
abby
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panama
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 |
| Location: | Panama |
| Posts: | 5 |
| First Name: | Thomas | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lutheran LCMS |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 01:44 pm |
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Hola Abby:
As a member in a "mission" church , it is probably easier for me to see. We are highly dependant on the World Mission and as a result much closer to the leadership in the states. That is certainly the way it appears.
Check out "Ablaze" , the Pastoral Leadership Institute , and "Jesus First"
The congegations have lost thier oversight , the Pastors are free to reword the Litergy and Creeds , conservatives are being labeled Rebels , sanctification and repentence are seldom heard.
I grew up in the ALC before it was ELCA , my father went LCMS when the ELCA was formed. It becomes obvios when it's time to leave , as the members can not fight it and it cannot be stopped.
Thomas
Last edited on Fri Apr 4th, 2008 01:50 pm by panama
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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 597 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 02:01 pm |
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Dan and Thomas,
Did I see that Rev. Benke will be at one of the Pope's events?? That sure brought back a rush of bad memories, of all the fighting about him. My husband and I were part of a small band of 'rebels' that started a new Lutheran church, breaking away from the local LCMS. We were too new in town to know the history, but I guess there were a lot of bad feelings. We just wanted traditional liturgy! That new little church is now VERY little. Our first choice of pastor was a horrible mistake (he lasted 7 months) and that killed it. My husband remains Lutheran, though can't find a church he likes. And I am very thankful to be CATHOLIC!
Jill
____________________
"The alternative to obedience is to turn the conversation into a cacophony of Christians making it up as they go along." - Fr. Richard John Neuhaus
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swordswoman
Member
| Joined: | Tue Feb 19th, 2008 |
| Location: | Williamsburg, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | AnnieO | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lutheran, Mormon (!), Catholic, Buddhist (!), Lutheran |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 11:00 pm |
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Hey y'all, I am a WELS member. My husband and I, after coming to a consensus of his Baptist background and my *varied* background, started going to an LCMS church. Well, it didn't take us long to decide against it for reasons you guys obviously know. So we started going to the WELS church and got confirmed in that church. I've been very happy there for the most part, so why am I on a Catholic website? If I think the Lutheran church is wrong, why am I not going back to the Catholic church? Some of this answer I already know; my husband, even though he calls us "reformed" Catholics, does not go for the whole Catholic doctrine, i.e., that which the Lutheran church does not recognize. Plus, my husband is my second husband, having divorced the first one. I'll start a query about that whole can of worms on the marriage topic. Anyway, I could use some encouragement or ...?
God's blessings!
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AnnieO
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abbycat
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | Abby | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | non-specified |
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Posted: Fri Apr 4th, 2008 11:09 pm |
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Hi swordswoman ... well, like you, I am divorced, so it is indeed a complicated bag of worms. It is certainly not something I would wish on anyone .... it is a hell of our own making. When it comes to the church piece of this, there is no problem for me within the ELCA. That is certainly not a good reason to stay, but until I know for sure that God would want me to make any change at all, it is a place I can be. My pastor, a former Catholic Priest, is so strong in the reverent, sacramental aspects of the liturgy ... but in the environment he is now in, it is only seen and recognized on special holidays ... Maundy Thurs., Good Friday and the Tenebrae, and Easter. The older I get, the more I search my own heart and seek God, the more I appreciate the beauty and reverence of liturgy.
abby
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panama
Member
| Joined: | Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 |
| Location: | Panama |
| Posts: | 5 |
| First Name: | Thomas | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lutheran LCMS |
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Posted: Sun Apr 6th, 2008 08:56 am |
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JillD wrote: Dan and Thomas,
Did I see that Rev. Benke will be at one of the Pope's events?? That sure brought back a rush of bad memories, of all the fighting about him. My husband and I were part of a small band of 'rebels' that started a new Lutheran church, breaking away from the local LCMS. We were too new in town to know the history, but I guess there were a lot of bad feelings. We just wanted traditional liturgy! That new little church is now VERY little. Our first choice of pastor was a horrible mistake (he lasted 7 months) and that killed it. My husband remains Lutheran, though can't find a church he likes. And I am very thankful to be CATHOLIC!
Jill
Hola Jill:
It took a bit of looking but here are the quotes from the Washington Times:
Pope Benedict XVI will lead an ecumenical prayer service April 18, at St. Joseph's Church in the Yorkville area of Manhattan. ....
Leaders from the New York area who will personally greet the pope include:
Bishop David H. Benke, president of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4971 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Apr 6th, 2008 11:09 am |
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panama wrote: Did I see that Rev. Benke will be at one of the Pope's events??
It took a bit of looking but here are the quotes from the Washington Times:
Actually, you could have found it in this thread in the Religion in the News forum. The Washington Post article you cite appears to be a direct quote from the USCCB press release I posted earlier.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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