New to the faith, appreciate prayers

[BabyLutheran]

After struggling with finding a more liturgical denomination, I am taking the steps, along with my family, of finding a Lutheran congregation in Virginia Beach. We have visited one twice, and are going to another one closer to our house this Sunday.

I appreciate any wise counsel you wish to give, and particularly your prayers, as my wife and I start down the Lutheran path. We started nondenominational and charismatic for several years, but for about the past 3 years, haven't attended church much at all since we struggled with each other over an appropriate church.

I am extremely joyous about God's grace in bringing us to Lutheranism. So far from reading the threads, attending the church, and starting on the Small Catechism thread in the stickies section, I realize God has brought us to the proper place!

I have to start doing a better job of teaching my 9 year old daughter the Gospel, and also need to speak with the pastor when we settle on a congregation, about getting my daughter baptized asap.

I hope it's ok with everyone that I changed my faith icon to Lutheran! :)

Thanks again for being patient with me and answering my questions, which are probably pretty dumb.

[LilLamb219]

Your questions are NOT dumb!! We love when people ask questions because we not only get to help out, but it helps refresh our own memories and forces us to delve deeper into those topics! We love it :)

[PreachersWife2004]

What LilLamb said!

Welcome to the Lutheran fold!! Prayers for you and your family!

:hug:

[DaSeminarian]

After struggling with finding a more liturgical denomination, I am taking the steps, along with my family, of finding a Lutheran congregation in Virginia Beach. We have visited one twice, and are going to another one closer to our house this Sunday.

I appreciate any wise counsel you wish to give, and particularly your prayers, as my wife and I start down the Lutheran path. We started nondenominational and charismatic for several years, but for about the past 3 years, haven't attended church much at all since we struggled with each other over an appropriate church.

I am extremely joyous about God's grace in bringing us to Lutheranism. So far from reading the threads, attending the church, and starting on the Small Catechism thread in the stickies section, I realize God has brought us to the proper place!

I have to start doing a better job of teaching my 9 year old daughter the Gospel, and also need to speak with the pastor when we settle on a congregation, about getting my daughter baptized asap.

I hope it's ok with everyone that I changed my faith icon to Lutheran! :)

Thanks again for being patient with me and answering my questions, which are probably pretty dumb.

May the Lord continue to bless you and your family in your new found understanding of Christianity through the Lutheran Church.

[maylor]

my family and I are new to Lutheranism as well.It's great to hear about another who has been led to this church also! My wife and three children were all baptized into the Lutheran church last year, and my wife and I confirmed as members. It still seems odd when I say "we're Lutheran" outloud, but it sure is a wonderful feeling!

Welcome and God bless!

[KimLCMS]

Welcome! We are glad to have you! The TCL members are a great group. I hope we can encourage you. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers!

[ctay]

Welcome BabyLutheran and Maylor, may God bless both of you and your families.
No question is a dumb one, there are several here that will be willing to answer any questions

[DaRev]

This is what this forum is intended for, for folks to come and ask questions concerning Lutheran doctrines and practices. We love discussing such things with visitors, seekers, and new Lutherans.

[porterross]

How wonderful! Thanks for introducing yourselves and letting us know the situation. I look forward to reading more of your posts and interacting with you.

Welcome.


BTW, I see you found the beer rather quickly, Maylor. I think you'd have been pegged as a Lutheran pretty quickly.

[BabyLutheran]

How wonderful! Thanks for introducing yourselves and letting us know the situation. I look forward to reading more of your posts and interacting with you.

Welcome.


BTW, I see you found the beer rather quickly, Maylor. I think you'd have been pegged as a Lutheran pretty quickly.
But it's Irish beer, does that count?

[DaRev]

But it's Irish beer, does that count?

Are you an Irish Lutheran? :thumbsup: Same here. :D

[BabyLutheran]

I wish I were Irish but unfortunately no. Lots of Irish blood way back when...but everyone is Irish at heart

PorterRoss is lucky, she has a type of beer in her name

[porterross]

But it's Irish beer, does that count?
I'm partial to English bitter and Scandinavian ales, so I'd say your well within range. Our doctrine came from across the pond, so why not our beer?

[BabyLutheran]

I'm partial to English bitter and Scandinavian ales, so I'd say your well within range. Our doctrine came from across the pond, so why not our beer?
I am partial to beer! lol

[BabyLutheran]

It's pretty funny, I am analytical and love to dig deep into theological stances of the various denominations.

My wife made a comment that made me pause. When I said I really liked the Lutheran service, she said from what she remembers, it's pretty much the same as Methodist and Presbyterian services she has been to.

My response was, they don't take communion every week like the Lutheran church.

She said, Oh, I didn't know Lutherans did that every week!

LOL

I guess my point is, she is finally accepting my quest for the right church, and was more concerned with whether that church is "normal" to her. That is why she resisted EO so much when I was interested in it: it was too foreign to her. Hopefully we can grow together in the Lutheran church.

[DaRev]

It's pretty funny, I am analytical and love to dig deep into theological stances of the various denominations.

My wife made a comment that made me pause. When I said I really liked the Lutheran service, she said from what she remembers, it's pretty much the same as Methodist and Presbyterian services she has been to.

My response was, they don't take communion every week like the Lutheran church.

She said, Oh, I didn't know Lutherans did that every week!

LOL

I guess my point is, she is finally accepting my quest for the right church, and was more concerned with whether that church is "normal" to her. That is why she resisted EO so much when I was interested in it: it was too foreign to her. Hopefully we can grow together in the Lutheran church.

Not all Lutheran congregations have communion every Sunday.

[BabyLutheran]

Yeah, I found that out. But the two we are considering do communion at every service.

I guess my main point was that my wife sees Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists as all the same. She is not so concerned about the doctrinal issues like I am.

[DaRev]

Yeah, I found that out. But the two we are considering do communion at every service.

I guess my main point was that my wife sees Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists as all the same. She is not so concerned about the doctrinal issues like I am.

In the eyes of the ELCA, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists are all the same.

[BabyLutheran]

That's not my point. I have concluded that my wife couldn't care less where we go, as long as it's not "weird". I spent two years agonizing and searching (EO, RC, Anglican, and finally Lutheran), and she doesn't even see it as that important! lol She would much rather keep going to the happy clappy independent nondenominational church, but is willing to go Lutheran with me because it doesn't offend her. She thinks I have gone off the deep end in the last couple of years because I have spent so much time and energy searching.

It's just ironic to me how night and day we have been. It has been a real source of conflict.

[LilLamb219]

That's not my point. I have concluded that my wife couldn't care less where we go, as long as it's not "weird". I spent two years agonizing and searching (EO, RC, Anglican, and finally Lutheran), and she doesn't even see it as that important! lol She would much rather keep going to the happy clappy independent nondenominational church, but is willing to go Lutheran with me because it doesn't offend her. She thinks I have gone off the deep end in the last couple of years because I have spent so much time and energy searching.

It's just ironic to me how night and day we have been. It has been a real source of conflict.

As long as she's willing to go with you, then that's great. In time, she'll learn more about the doctrine and see the importance of it :)

[BabyLutheran]

That is exactly what I am praying for! I am just so thankful that she is willing to go to the Lutheran church.

[Mary of Bethany]

Is this the former "orthowannabe"? :)

If so, I'm glad you've found a place you and your wife can attend together. It's no fun to be separated in worship.

Mary

[Jim47]

Welcome to TCL :wave:

We always love to have new members, otherwise we get bored preaching to each other ;)

[BabyLutheran]

Is this the former "orthowannabe"? :)

If so, I'm glad you've found a place you and your wife can attend together. It's no fun to be separated in worship.

Mary
You got it, Mary! We finally found a place. I think it is a good compromise, although I am sure the other Lutherans on here would be mad for me saying that...lol. Not compromise in a bad way, mind you. Just that some of the things I was thinking were really important, like praying for intercession to Mary and the saints, or the rite of confession, the role of Tradition, etc aren't really as essential to me as I originally felt. But the Real Presence and the liturgical basis of worship, both of which I feel very strongly about, are here in the Lutheran church. And I am sure as I am educated in the faith, I will come to agree and understand it even more.

Anyway, thanks for checking in on me, Mary.

[BabyLutheran]

Welcome to TCL :wave:

We always love to have new members, otherwise we get bored preaching to each other ;)
Preaching to one another does get old after the first fifty times...lol

[RevCowboy]

Preaching to one another does get old after the first fifty times...lol

Tell me about it... I have only been a Vicar for 6 months and my preaching is already getting old to me. I would wonder what the folks in the pew thought if they were awake for my sermons...;):preach::sleep:

[DaRev]

Tell me about it... I have only been a Vicar for 6 months and my preaching is already getting old to me. I would wonder what the folks in the pew thought if they were awake for my sermons...;):preach::sleep:

:eek:
Wait 'til you've been a pastor for 20 years!

[BabyLutheran]

At least at the Lutheran service, the sermon is only 10-15 minutes, tops.

You go to a charismatic or pentecostal service, you get 45 minutes of preaching. Talk about falling asleep.

[RadMan]

Actually the people that are Christian will follow every word to find errors in teaching. I would listen to the sermons and find a bunch of "uh-ohs" and then never come back again. Unfortunately the rest will just sit and listen and absorb everything until they fall asleep "happy" about themselves.

[BabyLutheran]

You right, Radman, church is all about us being "happy" about ourselves.

[DaRev]

Actually the people that are Christian will follow every word to find errors in teaching.

That's only those Christians that don't trust the pastors.

[RevCowboy]

Actually the people that are Christian will follow every word to find errors in teaching. I would listen to the sermons and find a bunch of "uh-ohs" and then never come back again. Unfortunately the rest will just sit and listen and absorb everything until they fall asleep "happy" about themselves.

I would hope that Christians would listen to sermons with hopes of hearing the Gospel!

[Jim47]

That's only those Christians that don't trust the pastors.


I repsectfully disagree. Our Pastor tells us all the time to pay attention to what he is preaching to see if its scriptural. We have discussed his teachings in bible class and elders meetings. He is always very happy to discuss anything with us, and it always ends up with us getting a chance to clear something up and have a deeper understanding.

[RevCowboy]

I repsectfully disagree. Our Pastor tells us all the time to pay attention to what he is preaching to see if its scriptural. We have discussed his teachings in bible class and elders meetings. He is always very happy to discuss anything with us, and it always ends up with us getting a chance to clear something up and have a deeper understanding.

So then what is the point of Seminary, Colllaquy, and Ordination?

I think its great that folks can discuss a pastor's sermon with him, but if his doctrine needs to be judged on Sunday morning, than something big was missed during seminary, collaquy and the call process.

I am not accusing anyone of doing this, but there should be a level of caution in regards to this kind of thing. Lutheran lay folks should always talk to their trained and educated pastors before making a judgment on the pastor's doctrine.

I would hope that congregations would be able to trust that their pastor is no a heretic. Sometimes I don't think pastors get a fair shake, some days I feel like it has never occurred to some lay poeple that I have have read the bible, let alone been studing theology for 7 years. I don't stand and watch the engineers in my congregation build bridges to see if they do it right, I trust that they know what they are doing and I hope that the people in my congregation can trust me.

[DaRev]

That only works with those who have a higher level of theological understanding. There is nothing wrong with asking questions about what the pastor has said in his sermon. It's entirely something else to set out seeking for false doctrine, especially from someone who does not have an adequate theological background.

[RadMan]

I would hope that Christians would listen to sermons with hopes of hearing the Gospel!

That's only those Christians that don't trust the pastors.

I was talking about People that "visit" non-denom, charismatic, AOG or reformed churches and finding errancies in the preaching. If I sat there and looked for "nuggets" at these "places" I would wait a long time.

Don't twist my words around to mean that I criticize preaching/teaching in the LCMS.

[BabyLutheran]

Our old church was classic. Everyone carried their Bible into the service. The pastor would start his sermon by saying "Everyone turn to 1st Blank, Chapter X, vs Y." He would then have us read the scripture out loud with him. Then he would launch into a sermon loosely tied to that verse, but would never again refer to the verse, chapter, or any other scripture.

[Jim47]

So then what is the point of Seminary, Colllaquy, and Ordination?

I think its great that folks can discuss a pastor's sermon with him, but if his doctrine needs to be judged on Sunday morning, than something big was missed during seminary, collaquy and the call process.

I am not accusing anyone of doing this, but there should be a level of caution in regards to this kind of thing. Lutheran lay folks should always talk to their trained and educated pastors before making a judgment on the pastor's doctrine.

I would hope that congregations would be able to trust that their pastor is no a heretic. Sometimes I don't think pastors get a fair shake, some days I feel like it has never occurred to some lay poeple that I have have read the bible, let alone been studing theology for 7 years. I don't stand and watch the engineers in my congregation build bridges to see if they do it right, I trust that they know what they are doing and I hope that the people in my congregation can trust me.



No one is above reproach if they do wrong. If the laity didn't listen to and verify that the Pastor was teaching correctly then we would be over run with false teaching. Even my Pastor has told me this and there have been instances of this happening in real life. Thankfully not often. The scriptures teach us to test the spirits. We are given the command to read and digest God's word. Our salvation depends upon us having a saving faith in Jesus.

[RadMan]

So then what is the point of Seminary, Colllaquy, and Ordination?

I think its great that folks can discuss a pastor's sermon with him, but if his doctrine needs to be judged on Sunday morning, than something big was missed during seminary, collaquy and the call process.

I am not accusing anyone of doing this, but there should be a level of caution in regards to this kind of thing. Lutheran lay folks should always talk to their trained and educated pastors before making a judgment on the pastor's doctrine.

I would hope that congregations would be able to trust that their pastor is no a heretic. Sometimes I don't think pastors get a fair shake, some days I feel like it has never occurred to some lay poeple that I have have read the bible, let alone been studing theology for 7 years. I don't stand and watch the engineers in my congregation build bridges to see if they do it right, I trust that they know what they are doing and I hope that the people in my congregation can trust me.

That only works with those who have a higher level of theological understanding. There is nothing wrong with asking questions about what the pastor has said in his sermon. It's entirely something else to set out seeking for false doctrine, especially from someone who does not have an adequate theological background.


Quotes From

"In his many works against the papacy Luther extols the priesthood of all believers.101 Perhaps his strongest statement on the matter is his essay entitled That a Christian Assembly or Congregation Has the Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers, Established and Proven by Scripture of 1553.
102

The sure sign of a Christian congregation, Luther says, is that the pure Gospel is preached there. This means that bishops, religious foundations, and monasteries are not Christian or Christian congregations. Christ "takes both the right and the power to judge teaching from the bishops, scholars, and councils and gives them to everyone and to all Christians equally." The right to judge doctrine, according to Luther, is not given to prophets and teachers, but to pupils and sheep. "For how could one beware of false prophets if one did not consider and judge their teaching?" Thus there cannot be a false prophet among the listeners, only among the teachers. That is why all teachers and their teaching should and must be subject to the judgment of listeners. It is the right and also the duty therefore of all Christians to judge doctrine on the basis of Holy Scripture. Of course, the congregation is obligated to call qualified men to be pastors. And it is a terrible plague if a congregation cannot have a pastor. But if false doctrine is taught, there is no need of any special divine command for any Christian to speak up" 103

101 See his Treatise on Christian Liberty and The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. LW 36.


102 LW 39, 305ff.


103 LW 40, 310 passim.

[BabyLutheran]

The threads here on TCL seem to take some long and very winding paths.

[PreachersWife2004]

The threads here on TCL seem to take some long and very winding paths.

Sooner or later we try to get back on topic, though!! ^_^

[BabyLutheran]

Yeah, on page 10 or so....maybe!

Hey I take it as a sign that I am fitting in, people are hijacking my threads.

[DaRev]

Yeah, on page 10 or so....maybe!

Hey I take it as a sign that I am fitting in, people are hijacking my threads.

That means we like you. :P


Don't twist my words around to mean that I criticize preaching/teaching in the LCMS.

Fair enough. I apologize if it came across as such.

[RadMan]

Fair enough. I apologize if it came across as such.
Believe it or not I even listen to your sermons which are really instructional. Post some more.

[PreachersWife2004]

I listen to, but sometimes I think it might be more for the voice than anything. No offense to DaRev's sermon-writing or anything, mind you.

He's just got a great speaking voice.

[DaRev]

Believe it or not I even listen to your sermons which are really instructional. Post some more.

I put one up every Sunday (except when I'm away). Stay tuned. :P

[BabyLutheran]

I listen to, but sometimes I think it might be more for the voice than anything. No offense to DaRev's sermon-writing or anything, mind you.

He's just got a great speaking voice.

Does he sound like the NFL radio announcer who also does the Chunky Soup ads?

The only line I can remember that he says on the broadcasts is,"Back to the NFL on Westwood One!"

[PreachersWife2004]

I dunno about any NFL thing but...

I think he's Garrison Keillor's evil twin brother. :tutu:

[DaRev]

He's just got a great speaking voice.

I've been told that, but I'm not sure I agree. :P

I worked in television for 15 years and did a lot of announcing.

[porterross]

Does he sound like the NFL radio announcer who also does the Chunky Soup ads?

The only line I can remember that he says on the broadcasts is,"Back to the NFL on Westwood One!"



Think "The Twilight Zone". He sounds like Rod Serling to me. :P

[Tofferer]

Think "The Twilight Zone". He sounds like Rod Serling to me. :P
I think he sounds more like a young Orson Wells, then again, what do I know?

[porterross]

I think he sounds more like a young Orson Wells, then again, what do I know?
I'll defer to your wife.

[RevCowboy]

I was talking about People that "visit" non-denom, charismatic, AOG or reformed churches and finding errancies in the preaching. If I sat there and looked for "nuggets" at these "places" I would wait a long time.

Don't twist my words around to mean that I criticize preaching/teaching in the LCMS.

I apologize for misinterpreting you. I must have missed something along the way...:blush:

I guess I should drop this, at least in this thread since its for prayers for BabyLutheran.