tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post8146477443286784146..comments2024-03-29T04:31:15.219-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: The Fear of Jumping ShipPastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-53873045054626686772010-01-07T09:03:23.890-06:002010-01-07T09:03:23.890-06:00I think that's one of the main obstacles for A...I think that's one of the main obstacles for American Lutherans, that so many of them self-idenify as "Protestant" and I understand the historical reasons for that.<br /><br />The Confessions must be re-taught in our congregations as well as what it means to be evangelical and catholic, which is what binds us to the church of all ages.<br /><br />ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-19110922843060534002010-01-06T22:44:02.334-06:002010-01-06T22:44:02.334-06:00Pr. Peters wrote: "All around are pastors &am...Pr. Peters wrote: "All around are pastors & people who have already gotten on the elevator ride down or have left the Lutheran building for generic Protestantism..."<br /><br />What's even more unfortunate is that there are plenty of people who have left Lutheranism for generic Protestantism but they haven't bothered to leave the Lutheran churches. Instead they've changed their Lutheran churches into the generic Protestant ones. At least the people who go to Rome or Constantinople leave; they don't usually hang around pretending to be Lutherans while they're really not. <br /><br />At least that's been my observation over the years.<br /><br />A very well balanced and thoughtful article, Pr. Peters. I'll have to buy Pr. Weedon a beer for directing me to your blog. :)Georgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-33294409489907750952010-01-05T13:27:46.990-06:002010-01-05T13:27:46.990-06:00Janis and Steve,
With the company of Lutheran bro...Janis and Steve,<br /><br />With the company of Lutheran brothers and sisters like yourselves there really is hope for our Synod!<br /><br />ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-75618100235502192482010-01-05T11:16:32.646-06:002010-01-05T11:16:32.646-06:00Pastor,
Thank you for writing this; I know in my c...Pastor,<br />Thank you for writing this; I know in my church those who don't like the liturgy are few but they are there. There are a few who do feel uncomfortable being Lutheran. <br /><br />I too am a former Baptist who truly saw the beautiful accuracy of the Lutheran faith both Scripturally and historically. I wouldn't, couldn't trade the blessing I have now for literally anything else. I would say that stronger except I just don't know how.<br /><br />When I read posts like this I wonder just how strong the "big" movement is to do away with the treasures we have. It would shake me to my core if Lutheranism as we find it in the Confessional obedience to our Scriptures and our gift of the liturgy ever went away.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02977465696758179388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-9927659542387724062010-01-05T08:32:00.158-06:002010-01-05T08:32:00.158-06:00Very astute observations, Pastor.
Father Neuhaus ...Very astute observations, Pastor.<br /><br />Father Neuhaus in his later years tended to speak in a more sober tone than he did when he wrote "The Catholic Moment." He came to see quite clearly the divisions that exist under the Roman umbrella and admitted he was under no illusions as to the state of the Catholic church.<br /><br />Those Lutherans who are thinking of swimming the Tiber in order to "complete" their Lutheran identity are in for quite a surprise. The "high church" environment they think exists is lacking in the average Catholic parish. They would also do well to thoroughly examine the missalettes published by Oregon Catholic Press, which is what most parishes use.<br /><br />I'll never forget the culture shock I experienced in my first year as a Catholic after leaving the ELCA (whose Vatican II wannabe liturgy prepared me well for my Roman sojourn). No more of the theologically rich Lutheran hymns that I grew up on, not to mention the lack of enthusiasm for singing at all (Thomas Day's "Why Catholics Can't Sing" is quite a read) and as for incense and other perks, lucky if I saw them at Christmas and Easter.<br /><br />Yes, the Lutheran Confessions were instrumental in bringing me back home to my heritage and I will be ever grateful for their solid witness to what it means to be an evangelical catholic. The worship at my LCMS parish is far more faithful to that than anything I experienced in my ten years in Rome.<br /><br />Your observations about the ELCA being "UCC high church" are sadly true and those of us in the LCMS would also do well to take your admonition to heart that the Lutheran Church existed before the formation of the LCMS and she is the steward of a grace-filled, liturgical heritage.<br /><br />I will give the Orthodox credit for remaining faithful to their own identity in a way Rome has not, but having sojourned in Rome I have no temptation to swim the Bosphorous either.<br /><br />ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-44587118126839426102010-01-05T08:21:49.913-06:002010-01-05T08:21:49.913-06:00Why do Lutherans have so many Baptists coming into...Why do Lutherans have so many Baptists coming into the 'rich liturgical tradition?' I've been noticing how many newbies (people not baptized into the Lutheran church) have to have the capital 'B' tattoo removed from their chests.<br /><br />Could it be that they've been there, done that stuff the BRTF is suggesting Missouri do? Why do we have to always learn the hard way?<br /><br />I am one of those who has had the tattoo removed, and supppose I could be accused of jumping from another ship into this one. <br />I cannot understand why those who want to continue in the tradition of the (ancient) church, and follow the confessions (which BTW are the main reason I jumped ship) are demonized. What will those folk do who advocate change when something 'newer and better' comes along?<br /><br />The ship does not have a leak in it! Why jump into a life raft when the waves are 20ft. high?Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.com