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I realize Christ is my refuge, but where do I go to worship him with other Christians? That was what I was talking about. I couldn't worship him with those who believe and accept things that I consider unbiblical (women pastors: that's coming soon for the LCMS, the writing is on the wall), or evil (same-sex blessings or weddings: that one is certainly an issue that is raising its head in the LCMS and isn't going away).

I realize that Catholics can be liberal too, but as an LCMS Lutheran I feel closer to the Catholics by far than all of the liberal apostate Protestant denominations. I disagree with the Catholics on many points of doctrine, but I don't personally believe the division with Catholicism is as severe or cut and dried as I guess most Protestants would. I don't think Catholics think they can be saved by works (no Catholic I ever met thought so) and no Catholic is required to pray to saints or to Mary. Still, if it comes down to liturgy, creedal and confessional orthodoxy or off-the-deep-end liberalism, women pastors, same-sex unions, and removing belief in Biblical inerrancy...I guess I have to find a Protestant denomination that I can support or it's off with the Catholics (provided I can find a conservative parish - I know how liberal some Catholic parishes are).

Trust me, all of this makes me quite sad. I love the LCMS. It's perfect for me. It's right in between the Catholics and the uber-protestants, and so it fits exactly with my own doctrinal beliefs. But, as I said, I can see the handwriting on the wall. Kieschnik and Co. are doing a number on the LCMS, IMHO. The church will be unrecognizable in ten years, let alone twenty.