A Biblical Walk Through the Mass (Book Review) [Ecumenical]
Posted on 06/21/2011 3:51:29 PM PDT by NoGrayZone
Okay, here's the deal in a long story short. I was raised Lutheran, moved out to Long Island and continued to be raised in St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Aunt Jeannie (my name sake) has been a member since. I decided years ago I wanted back, so I went.
I did not feel Him there, thought it was me. I kept looking around the congregation, thinking it was me. After a while, I realized it wasn't (a couple of things happened after that confirmed it wasn't me).
Anywho, the icing on the cake was my Aunt Jeannie stopped going as well. After almost 30 years she felt the change as well. I looked up our church and saw they were apart of the "accept homosexuals as Pastors" crowd. That was 1 of the things that confirmed it was not me.
But my Aunt Jeannie leaving was the icing on the cake.
Here's our delima. Both of us are July babies. She is the 2nd, I am the 18th. We decided on 7/17 we would find a church to attend (we both want one to belong to and believe in), then go have brunch to discuss.
She is much more open minded than I am, but I promised her I would be open minded, if just for an hour, on that day.
I said to her, during our conversation "how do we know if the "Pastor" is a homo or not. She believes He is with us no matter where we are. I agree....to a point. I don't believe a homosexual can be one of His Shepard's leading His herd if that is so.
There have been so many "demoninations" coming out for homosexual "Shepard's" I have NO idea where to begin.
I have called a few churches and left messages for the Pastor to call back so I can interview Him (no lady Pastors for me).
Any advise to where we can look? Anyone know anything about Presbyterians?
Try a Southern Baptist church. It is what you are looking for.
You must have been part of the ELCA Lutheran Synod. I left them years ago. The LCMS and WELS continue to be doctrine-based confessional Lutheran Synods. I’d suggest looking there. Charles Henrickson and lightman are Lutheran pastors. Charles with LCMS, lightman in a congregation that has recently separated from ELCA.
I know there are other ELCA congregations that have formed their own synod, but I’m not familiar enough to direct you that way. You may want to contact those two FReeper gentlemen.
Long ago, wandering in the desert is how a promised land was found.
We invite both you and your Aunt Jeannie to the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Call a priest at a church near you and go sit down with him and get your questions answered.
God bless you on your journey.
Wow, I just googled Southern Baptist Churches in Suffolk and found only 2!
That road is sure crooked and unlit!
I’m sorry, I don’t want to step on any toes, but the Catholic religion just doesn’t cut it.
Again, sorry, no dis intended but the Catholic Church is out for us.
Personally, I wouldn’t belong to any club that would have someone like me as a member. That being said, God is wherever two or more are gathered in His name. Also, don’t look for somewhere you can “get” look for somewhere you can serve. In that place you will find God everywhere and your personal “cup” will overflow. Btw, what city, I might know somewhere you can visit.
Its going to take a lots of prayer and visits to find the right church for you.
I would strongly recommend you an evangelical church. I grew up Catholic and in my late 20’s I felt that there had to be a better way to worship. Less ceremonial, more heart felt. I also had issues with some Catholic dogma. My husband-to-be invited me to his church, a Southern Baptist church and it was all I was looking for. No female or homo pastor, no counting on anything but Scripture... I’ve been married 23 years and I attend church Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening. I teach an adult Sunday school class, and just last week I was teaching a class in Bible School. If you can, find a Southern Baptist church, if that’s not possible find an evangelical church. And God bless you!
**There have been so many “demoninations” coming out for homosexual “Shepard’s” I have NO idea where to begin.**
NOT with the Catholic Church!
I guess we have to “wander” to many to find the One. I wish I were a better person, perhaps He would just tell me where to go.
Each congregation of the church of Christ is autonomous so there will be variations. Overall, though, my experience is that most are very Conservative (both in terms of Christianity and politically). The services are traditional, strongly Bible-based and I've never heard a coC preacher advocate anything like the heretical "social gospel".
I'll also add that back in the summer of 2008 (when the presidential campaign was in full swing), I had the chance to take a prolonged vacation by car through the South and Midwest. While doing so, I stopped at different church of Christ congregations (all the way from Lubbock, TX up to Bloomington, IL and points in between) for both Wednesday and Sunday services. I never saw even one Obama sticker on any car in the parking lots.
Suffolk County, Long Island, NY.
You are right to search for a Bible based church. Read for yourself the gospel of John. That book tells us Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the one sent by God. Jesus came that we may know God. The only path to God is through Jesus. Therefore, look for a Christ centered church. God bless you in your search and may he bless you forever with a great faith in him and in the one he sent.
cw
Suffolk County, Long Island, NY.
True. We all sin, but someone who is unrepentant and secure in his vile sin like that should never be allowed into leadership of any kind in a congregation. God hates sodomy and destoryed cities for it. Such leaders who think it is ok are not good for the flock. By accpeting sodomy or other such sins as ok they have shown their true colors: that they do not see God's word as trustworthy and authoratative. Thus they are unfit to teach from God's word.
Personally (if you are interested), our family goes to a Messianic Jewish congregation and follow Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua) and still celebrate all God's Biblical festivals.
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