I was born a LUTHERAN, I remember as a child of nine leaving church and having this warm feeling rush over me, tingling, Did not know it then that was the Holy Spirit, But I had a thought that it was. And through my life worshiping with my grandmother Helen. I loved sitting with her and reciting the Liturgy. I love Lutheran Liturgy, and now we have the NEW Red book ( My Pastor refuses to call it red, she calls it Cranberry) I think I might like the red book as long as it isn't Blasphemy. We cant de-gender the Creeds and the Lords Prayer.
I have thought deeply of quitting Luther, and joining the Baptist or even the Evangelical Free Church. I desire worshiping in a church where there are absolutes. Good/Evil, Salvation/damnation. I want to go to a church where I can hear that Salvation is a gift from God and that through his son alone we find Heaven. I want to worship in a Christian Church and not a inclusive bastardization of whatever feels good now.
I love singing contemporary hymns, I love raising my arms high in Praise, I love shouting," Praise Jesus," "Amen," and "Thank you God" during service,
You see, I have seen behind the curtain, I have worshiped with my brothers at many multi Denominational services. The men I worship with, from all different churches from all over Michigan, are my family. We Minister in Prisons together, over 50 of us. God is Good, All the time, All the time, God is good. I love those guys.
But I'll stay Lutheran, Why? The Liturgy.
And now I know something else. I know that in the coming years I can become a voter during Synod Assembly, and I Pray that I can help Keep the ELCA from becoming a non Christian church.
Salem
Rick
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4 comments:
Thank you for your committment to the Lutheran church and the ELCA. Too many people get frustrated, leave and then bash what the ELCA is doing. I don't like everything the ELCA is doing either, but if we hope to make a difference we need to stay and fight for change. After all, that is what Luther did. He wanted to change (reform) the church not leave it.
Keeping praying and keep fighting. The ELCA needs more people like you. Thanks for your words.
Today I'm attending a Presbyterian church, but admit the sermons sometime leave me wanting.
I attended a Baptist church for a while and its sermons were definitely some of my favorite.
However, I believe I'm still a Catholic at heart. I like a church with unwavering commitment to virtue and moral absolutes--no matter how impractical virtue may become.
Unfortunately, no one will ever like everything that a church is doing - be that church a congregation or a denomination. It is part of the challenge of living as the Body of Christ that is simul iustus et peccator.
That said, I'm glad you like the red book (I won't call it cranberry, either). I also love it, and am glad for many of the changes that this book has made. I have only a few little quibbles, and I have to try pretty hard to make a big deal out of those quibbles.
The new 'cranberry' book is very unfaithful to orthodox confessional
Lutheranism. In many places it blurs the doctrine of the Trinity and makes changes to the Biblical Psalms and tradtional prayers all in the name of "inclusivity." In truth it is a dangerous book. You can ckeck out my blog at http://societyforlutheranliturgy.blogspot.com/
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