Independent Lutherans - WELS splinter group???

[KagomeShuko]

This worries me a bit. :| This guy who wrote this to me is the one that first claimed to attend "Hilltop Meadows Lutheran." Then he told me that it wasn't the name, but he won't give me a name for his church. He also first refused to answer my question of which synod of Lutheranism he was in when I first asked him and then he changed my position. He's also made me mad about what he said about the CF people here. Here's his comment (from LiveJournal) to me:

There is no big deal about discussing anything about my religious beliefs with you or anyone else. Kristen and I are members of a small branch of the WELS; if you aren't familiar with that, although I am thinking you should be, itls Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Kristen graduated from the University of Michigan and moved to Texas to study for her Master's at Seguin. Our church is located deep in the hill country of Northwest Texas, and the closest largest city is San Antonio, which is about ninety miles from our small church building. We are a group of devout Christians, who have a slightly different approach to several aspects of worshipping than main stream WELS practices. However, our basic beliefs remain steadfast.

I still don't know why you have decided to want to know all of this now, but I've been to the Christian forums you mentioned, and all I've observed is a lot of people who don't seem to know exactly what they are discussing or even what they really should be believing. I am not including you in that category, just some that I've seen.

Kristen has developed somewhat of a crush on The Great One and has been really begging me to meet him, so I suppose we'll have to make a trip to Lake Charles when he returns from his assignment. We'd love to attend your church while we are there and hope to talk with your pastor. We are also hoping that CJ and Jennylynn will give you, me, and Kristen a chance to explain the joy of being independent Lutherans. Kristen and I both think CJ is especially an excellent candidate for our religious environment because he seems lost and in need of a loving church home for him and his beautiful little girl. Although he lives far from our church, it does not mean that he and his child couldl not become members and supporters of our undertaking. Perhaps you might be interested, if you would like, we'll discuss all of this with you, too. Now, if you have any further questions, as I've said, I'll be happy to answer them, and Kristen says to tell you that she is very glad that you are not interested in CJ. She's been swooning over him since she saw that ID picture. LOL

Two more glorious days to go. Tony

This Kristen also told my friend CJ that there are only a few who are chosen to go to heaven - sounds like Jehovah's Witnesses - and that I am in the wrong church and he should talk to her before talking to me. While I've just been trying to help him find any church be it mine or another - he's seeking for a home and I want to help him. They want to recruit anybody and get their money.

Does anybody know anything about this little splinter group off of WELS? This guy has lied to us about many things with his religion already. Any information would be appreciated if you know of anything.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[ByzantineDixie]

OK, this is "smells" all the way to Georgia!
WELS "splinter group" that remains in fellowship with WELS? That sounds more fishy that the rest of the stuff! :scratch: And pretty much unbelievable. One of the hallmarks of WELS is their fellowship practices.

As far as the comment about CF is concerned...just be a duck and let it roll off. Some folks here are questioning and discussing and truly don't know what to believe, Some others are learning more about God as He grows their faith. Some are both teachers as well as students.

Bridget...sounds like you need to be careful here. But I think you already know this.

(Who is "The Great One"? The first time I read your post--rather rapidly--the term "cult" came to my head but on rereading it I am not so sure.)

Peace

Rose

[KagomeShuko]

OK, this is "smells" all the way to Georgia!
WELS "splinter group" that remains in fellowship with WELS? That sounds more fishy that the rest of the stuff! :scratch: And pretty much unbelievable. One of the hallmarks of WELS is their fellowship practices.

As far as the comment about CF is concerned...just be a duck and let it roll off. Some folks here are questioning and discussing and truly don't know what to believe, Some others are learning more about God as He grows their faith. Some are both teachers as well as students.

Bridget...sounds like you need to be careful here. But I think you already know this.

(Who is "The Great One"? The first time I read your post--rather rapidly--the term "cult" came to my head but on rereading it I am not so sure.)

Peace

Rose
Sounds like "cult" to me the more I read it and think about it.

Oh, yes. .LOL. . ."The Great One' is CJ. For some reason this guy, Tony, gave him that name. . .not like the guy can help if girls seem to go gaga over him.

I haven't had a good feeling about this guy for a long time.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[Flipper]

There is no big deal about discussing anything about my religious beliefs with you or anyone else. Kristen and I are members of a small branch of the WELS; if you aren't familiar with that, although I am thinking you should be, itls Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Kristen graduated from the University of Michigan and moved to Texas to study for her Master's at Seguin. Our church is located deep in the hill country of Northwest Texas, and the closest largest city is San Antonio, which is about ninety miles from our small church building. We are a group of devout Christians, who have a slightly different approach to several aspects of worshipping than main stream WELS practices. However, our basic beliefs remain steadfast.
Maybe I misunderstood him, or I'm reading something that isn't there, or my geography is bad, but I can't see 90 miles from San Antonio being northwestern Texas. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[ByzantineDixie]

Maybe I misunderstood him, or I'm reading something that isn't there, or my geography is bad, but I can't see 90 miles from San Antonio being northwestern Texas. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
ooooooh! Good catch!!! Give this girl an "A" in geography. Sister Margaret Joseph would have loved a natural like you! ;) :D -----R

[KagomeShuko]

ooooooh! Good catch!!! Give this girl an "A" in geography. Sister Margaret Joseph would have loved a natural like you! ;) :D -----R
Ooh . .I hadn't even checked into the geography. I'm not sure about that one. Interesting. I don't like the stuff from this guy at all, and neither do my friends CJ and Lynn. Fortunately for me, I've not met Tony. Unfortunately for CJ and Lynn, they have met him in person. Neither really like him.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[Flipper]

I don't like the stuff from this guy at all, and neither do my friends CJ and Lynn. Fortunately for me, I've not met Tony. Unfortunately for CJ and Lynn, they have met him in person. Neither really like him.

Stein Auf!
Bridget
Also, someone who actually cares, would have acted in such a way to make you welcome to go to church with them sometime and see for yourself. He's throwing you bones, but seems to prefer that you not grab them.

[KagomeShuko]

Also, someone who actually cares, would have acted in such a way to make you welcome to go to church with them sometime and see for yourself. He's throwing you bones, but seems to prefer that you not grab them.
Well, I'm not in his area. I don't plan on being in his area. Yet, he wants me to support this little cult. That's what it seems to be. I'm happy with my church, but Kristen, Tony's friend, told him I was in the WRONG church.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[SPALATIN]

Ooh . .I hadn't even checked into the geography. I'm not sure about that one. Interesting. I don't like the stuff from this guy at all, and neither do my friends CJ and Lynn. Fortunately for me, I've not met Tony. Unfortunately for CJ and Lynn, they have met him in person. Neither really like him.

Stein Auf!
Bridget
Cut off all communication with this Tony right now. He is hiding something if he won't give you the information you seek. I wouldn't trust him any farther than... well you know what I mean. Also tell your friend CJ to be smart and cut off communication with him as well.

People like him make me :mad:

[KagomeShuko]

Cut off all communication with this Tony right now. He is hiding something if he won't give you the information you seek. I wouldn't trust him any farther than... well you know what I mean. Also tell your friend CJ to be smart and cut off communication with him as well.

People like him make me :mad:
Well, I think he's said he's Mormon, Lutheran, and Pentacostal to me and two of my other friends at different times. He seems to closely follow my interests and try to impress me, but there's nothing impressive about copying somebody's interests. It's that obvious. I've no desire to communicate with him. At first he told me he knew of Seguin, TX and then that he attended Texas Lutheran University. I thought maybe it would be okay, but the more he writes me, the more lies are told, it seems, and the more he wants support for this odd little group of his from me and my friends. He wants CJ because he makes good money on his job and believe in tithing. They only want money. It's that obvious.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[SPALATIN]

Well, I think he's said he's Mormon, Lutheran, and Pentacostal to me and two of my other friends at different times. He seems to closely follow my interests and try to impress me, but there's nothing impressive about copying somebody's interests. It's that obvious. I've no desire to communicate with him. At first he told me he knew of Seguin, TX and then that he attended Texas Lutheran University. I thought maybe it would be okay, but the more he writes me, the more lies are told, it seems, and the more he wants support for this odd little group of his from me and my friends. He wants CJ because he makes good money on his job and believe in tithing. They only want money. It's that obvious.

Stein Auf!
Bridget
Bridget,

Make one last letter to him saying that you will no longer respond to his emails. That you want no more to do with him or his family. Whenever he writes delete the mail thereafter. When he continues not to hear from you he will give up eventually. Also the fervor with which he writes you after you send your last letter will say a lot.

If it is a lot he is nothing better than a stalker. If he says ok and quits right away he will at least have respected your right to refuse his friendship further. I would also encourage your friends to write him off with a last letter. Be firm with him and let him know that you will not respond anymore to his emails. Then be firm in your resolve not to answer him. It may be tough especially if you read them. Maybe just delete them before reading them so that you aren't tempted.

I say this to you because there are real creeps out there in the name of Christianity that will exploit you. Heck if a pedophile can masquerade as a 14 year-old kid to attract others that age a person can also masquerade as a Christian for the same purpose.

Scott

[Flipper]

Well, I think he's said he's Mormon, Lutheran, and Pentacostal to me and two of my other friends at different times. He seems to closely follow my interests and try to impress me, but there's nothing impressive about copying somebody's interests. It's that obvious. I've no desire to communicate with him. At first he told me he knew of Seguin, TX and then that he attended Texas Lutheran University. I thought maybe it would be okay, but the more he writes me, the more lies are told, it seems, and the more he wants support for this odd little group of his from me and my friends. He wants CJ because he makes good money on his job and believe in tithing. They only want money. It's that obvious.

Stein Auf!
Bridget
I echo what Scott says. This is sounding more and more creepy.

[KagomeShuko]

Bridget,

Make one last letter to him saying that you will no longer respond to his emails. That you want no more to do with him or his family. Whenever he writes delete the mail thereafter. When he continues not to hear from you he will give up eventually. Also the fervor with which he writes you after you send your last letter will say a lot.

If it is a lot he is nothing better than a stalker. If he says ok and quits right away he will at least have respected your right to refuse his friendship further. I would also encourage your friends to write him off with a last letter. Be firm with him and let him know that you will not respond anymore to his emails. Then be firm in your resolve not to answer him. It may be tough especially if you read them. Maybe just delete them before reading them so that you aren't tempted.

I say this to you because there are real creeps out there in the name of Christianity that will exploit you. Heck if a pedophile can masquerade as a 14 year-old kid to attract others that age a person can also masquerade as a Christian for the same purpose.

Scott
Yes, I am definitely going to have to do that.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[KagomeShuko]

I echo what Scott says. This is sounding more and more creepy.
*nods* Definitely.

Stein Auf!
Bridget