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Date Posted: 20:49:46 04/06/05 Wed
Author: Josh Osbun
Subject: Where would you go if you had to leave the LCMS?

In recent months we've seen congregations and individuals withdraw and resign from Synod. This is a decision that many of us may have to face in the future. Where would you go if you felt that this is something that you would have to do? Would you go to another Lutheran synod? Would you go to an independent Lutheran congregation? Would you go to the Roman Catholic Church? Another denomination (Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, etc.)? An "Orthodox" church such as Eastern Orthodox or the Orthodox Church in America? Non-denominational?

What would you do?

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Replies:

[> Re: Where would you go if you had to leave the LCMS? -- Nathanael, 15:30:18 04/12/05 Tue [1]

Josh--as a confessional lutheran I can relate to the apprehension you face; though we participate in a body, we must obey the Apostle Paul's command to "walk circumspectly". This includes being aware of the issues that the church is facing and seeking God's will in the event that proponents of false doctrine and/or practice should determine the direction of the church. If this is the reason for leaving the church it would not be reasonable to join a non-Lutheran denomination. I can testify from personal experience that ther are several other confessional Luther churches that are also gospel centered--'evangelical' in the best sense of the word. Among these is the Lutheran Brethren of which I am a member.


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[> [> Re: Where would you go if you had to leave the LCMS? -- Josh Osbun, 16:33:22 04/12/05 Tue [1]

Nathanael -- First of all, thanks for posting! It's nice to see that people are finding this place!

Secondly, I think you may have misunderstood my intentions for posting that. I am not looking to leave the LCMS anytime soon. I don't think that things have gotten to be that desperate -- at least they haven't for me. I'm just curious to see if this is something that other people have thought about at all, and what criteria they would use to explore other possibilities.


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[> [> [> Re: Where would you go if you had to leave the LCMS? -- Bill Kope, 15:35:26 04/14/05 Thu [1]

I am a deacon of a congregation that recently left Missouri. We did not want to lewave, but to protect our Pastor from being removed from the clery roster of Missouri, our congregation felt we needed to do something. Our Pastor was threatened with removal because he is confessional and would not bow to theose that wanted open communion, praise bands and contemporary worship. We formed a new church and are now in process of working on a fellowship document to join with other congregations that have recently left Missouri. Life outside Missouri is not a disaster as we believed when we began this process and we have found much support from other confessional congregtions both inside and outside Missouri. Before one makes a decision to change, one should always look at their options. Check out those "other" Lutheran churches.


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[> [> [> [> Re: Where would you go if you had to leave the LCMS? -- Steve, 13:25:57 05/23/05 Mon [1]

I agree with Bill. Check out any church you are considering joining. As to where I might go. That is a real challenge. Perhaps the ELS. Despite its more pietistic leanings it definitely reflects "Old Missouri" better than most.


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[> Re: Where would you go if you had to leave the LCMS? -- Erni, 22:47:34 05/23/05 Mon [1]

I honestly don't know what i would do in that case. I wouldn't join some other denomintation for the sake of joining another church, but i'd have to evaluate the reasons for leaving and whether or not that justifies writing off the synod i have always been part of. i would start praying for the second coming of Christ a lot more religiously (no pun intended). it is painful that these divisions exist, especally when we, the catholic church, are all based on the same book, the same savior who died for ALL.


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