Why We Are Leaving the ELCA

WordAlone Ministries ^ | May 2010

[rhema]

The new social statement and policies on sexuality are just the tip of the iceberg. They are a single example of how far the ELCA has strayed from the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. On a much deeper level, the changes taking place in the church today are altering the very message of Christ. When the Word of God is no longer taught as the basis for the Christian faith and life, a religious institution ceases to be a Church of Christ.

The time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

[Last Dakotan]

As a Catholic, I don't see the point of being a splinter group from a breakaway, from a breakaway, etc. Soon enough your entire church can meet in your living room.

I'll stick with what is real and original.

[caww]

My sister-in-laws church was part of this break away...they left and had to give up their church...3ys. ago. This weekend they moved into their new church. The Baptist church let them use their facilities prior for youth groups etc. So they joined in the mile walk to their new church....the Pastor thanked the Baptist church Pastor for all their help and before he could hardly finish the Baptist preacher said...No, it is you who have helped us to see how it is done for that day we may have to do the same.

[bjorn14]

“church can meet in your living room.”

Well, that’s how it all started. In fact there is now a mini movement to start house churches.

[chs68]

"As a Catholic, I don't see the point of being a splinter group from a breakaway, from a breakaway, etc. Soon enough your entire church can meet in your living room. I'll stick with what is real and original."

Could you please share with us your understanding of the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church?

Specifically, I like to know whether you think the Orthodox Church is or is not the "real and original" church.

Thanks in advance.

[From The Deer Stand]

Exposing the ELCA

[lightman]

Lutheran (EL C S*A) Ping!

* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.

Glory to the Holy Trinity!

[Reo]

"I'll stick with what is real and original."

Exactly what I decided to do when I swam the Tiber from the ELCA to Rome 16 years ago. What a blessing these past 16 years have been!

[xone]

I'll stick with what is real and original.

Good, you can sing Ave Maria, not worshipping of course, I'll sing A Mighty Fortress.

[redgolum]

And how many Catholic Freepers have complained that their parish is just as nutty as the ELCA? How many have fled to other Catholic rites (despite canons from the 2nd Ecumenical Council forbidding such moves)? How many "gallery of horrors" have Catholic Freepers posted of some rather horrible masses with dancing girls, dragons, and altars that look like something from the set of a Conan movie?

Friend, what you see in the ELCA is the future of the Catholic Church in the USA. There will be a schism, or rather an open schism. BXVI has hinted a long those lines. Laughing at the ship wreck of the ELCA may be fun, but please pay attention to the rocks you own communion is heading to. The abuse scandal in Europe is more serious than here in the US, if only because the EU has a lot more authority over the Vatican, and that the various states have a lot more control over the Church.

[SmithL]

I have been dissatisfied with the ELCA from its inception, and after the 2009 CWA, I knew I had to do something. Since I saw no evidence that CORE or LCMC would ever get a foothold in my corner of the SF Bay Area, I found an LCMS congregation that I now consider to be my spiritual home.

[lightman]

After a number of ill-advised course deviations over the years, those at the helm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have piloted the denomination into a deadly collision with the same iceberg that has caused other Christian bodies to fracture and sink. For many, the Churchwide Assembly votes in August 2009 — to affirm same-sex unions and lower the sexual standards of clergy — will go down in history as the defining moment of impact.

[bcsco]

When my wife and I left the ELCA a number of years ago, I came up with a statement I felt answered questions some had. “Christ established his Church on Earth to change peoples lives; not to change itself to suit people’s lives”. I see it reflects 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

[mlocher]

As a Catholic, I don't see the point of being a splinter group from a breakaway, from a breakaway, etc.

Christ wants us to have a personal relationship with him, and individuals should study the Bible and belong to a church/denomination that is in line with their beliefs. The simple act of belonging to a church does not guarantee salvation. Belief in Christ, and living your beliefs does.

When groups or congregations "go along to get along" they miss the real blessing of knowing Christ on a personal basis.

[aliquando]

I tire of Catholics jumping these Lutheran threads. They all want us to “ come home to the mother ship”. I am Old school Lutheran for a reason. Nothing comes between my G_d and me.

[aliquando]

Amen! Old School Lutheran born and bred!

[Last Dakotan]

Christ wants us to have a personal relationship with him...

I've never understood that statement. With all respect, it just sounds corny.

God is the omnipotent divine being - he can have whatever he wants.

[Last Dakotan]

I like to know whether you think the Orthodox Church is or is not the "real and original" church.

It is a significant part of it - that's the best I can do. It is not the whole.

[mlocher]

I've never understood that statement. With all respect, it just sounds corny.

God is the omnipotent divine being - he can have whatever he wants.

It does sound corny, but it cuts right to the heat of the "free will" versus "predestined" debate that Calvin had with the Melanchthon and others. A person on the "free will" side would argue that man can choose to ignore God, or man can choose to be in communion with God. God desires the communion with each person, but leaves the choice to each person.

The Predistination side of the debate would argue that God makes the decision, and he gets what he wants.