Posted on 06/20/2006 12:59:42 PM PDT by Abathar
Only marginally. It's really a lot of things. Many Episcopal parishes offer a very vague version of the Gospel, and many of them are politically very liberal. Many priests are embarrassed to state the unambiguous truths in the Gospel, such as "sin exists, and God cares about it." So I think that chases a lot of people away. Also, they've generally done away with the classical Anglican liturgy, and have replaced it with pap. Finally, a lot of parishes try to be "happy clappy" to try to compete with the non-denominational "big-box" churches -- and Episcopalians tend to do a very horrible job at that. They're like the 55-year old man trying to fit in among the youngsters at one of those tony downtown meat markets.
As a result, the Sunday attendance at your average Episcopal Church is around 37 people -- most of them older.
It doesn't have to be that way -- there are some very large Episcopal congregations. Not surprisingly, they tend to be orthodox in liturgy and theology, and they tend to stick to the traditional Anglican musical styles. Done right, there's absolutely nothing that beats an Episcopal worship service. (IMO)
Welcome to the LCMS! As a church body we are still pretty strong on rejection of homosexuality. Our leadership gets the concept of love the sinner, hate the sin. They don't get mixed up and love the sinner and all that he does.
I would be slow to judge the neighboring church. The churches that tickle the ear with what man wants to hear often have the fullest parking lots. Their preacher may just be teaching the truth!
got cha!
Ours is a small town in Northern Illinois. Not that many Episcopal congregations around. So a smaller congregation is not unusual, IMHO. The few cars I see there on Sunday makes me believe the number is close to the 37 you name. That's pretty small compared to the other churches in town. That's what I was basing my observation on.
Thanks for the welcome, however it's a return; not a first visit. I don't jump at judging other churches. However, I felt (and still feel) obligated in judging the leaders of the ELCA since I was an active member with them for so many years. Because of my health I just didn't feel the strength to confront the issue head-on while still a member.
I still have friends and relatives tied to the ELCA, one cousin being a pastor. His parents are ELCA although quite critical of their direction. His mother's sister, like me, is LCMS. We all come from LCMS backgrounds. Another cousin, and godfather, was a professor of Theology at Concordia, St. Louis. That's what I mean when I say this is a return and not a first visit.
Interview with Canon Kendall Harmon.
I recommend it to anyone interested in the inside story on some of the goings on in Columbus.
What I can't figure out is why he hasn't left yet.
I have an aunt and uncle who are ELCA. The started out LCMS, then their church changed affiliations in the 1960's. It became part of ELCA when the synods that merged together for it came together.
They wonder what happened to their church. The changes have been huge over the time they have been there. They are not happy with the teachings of the church, but they won't change to another church because they have been in their church for over 40 years.
None of their grown children attend a church with any regularity and I attribute much of that to the theology of their church. Too much Gospel, not enough law in the preaching there doesn't give one the push to get into the pews!
Instead of saying Welcome to the LCMS, I'd better say Welcome Home.
None of which contradicts what I said. "MeanWestTexan"'s post #50 is a good explanation.
Later I moved to an area in Northern Illinois where the most convenient church was ELCA. That began my long association with them.
We're glad we made the move last year. It's enjoyable hearing God's Word from the pulpit instead of anti-war, liberal rhetoric. I was assistant minister and once almost walked out during service when a visiting minister was spouting his garbage about Bush and the Iraq conflict. I let him have it after the service was over. Another time, a temporary pastor, filling in during a call process, preached about how we were torturing prisoners, and how an anti-war activist with a large number of arrests under her belt was a great hero of his. Only my wife kept me from making a fool of myself, I was so incensed.
Instances like those, coupled with the gay issue, are why we left.
Your history would come as quite a surprise to Thomas a Becket and Thomas More.
bump
And to think my father had a fit when the new prayer book came along....
The episcopalians are going to be more and more irrelevant in the greater scheme of things. When a denomination continually spits in the face of God, eventually God will spit back and they will have to retreat into oblivion. The blessing is off them. The Presbyterians who are trying to vote on a new way to gender neutralize Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will be right on their coattails. One day the True Body of Christ will arise and they won't be there.
Yes, I heard that as well, or read it. I really felt sad about that. They are on their way OUT.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. WHAT? A Mennonite church is doing this? Wow. I doubt the Mennonites who have moved into Central New York are of that same persuasion. But, who knows?
I heard the PCUSA didn't pass it but the very idea they wuld even consider "Mother, child and womb" as a substitute for the Holy Trinity is quite bizarre.
This text is available at gutenberg.
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