When will Lutherans and Anglicans merge?

[benjohnson]

Having said that, I see the LCMS as conservative and narrow-minded in a way that will and is causing trouble for the faithful. My sister and many in my wife’s family left the LCMS to join the ELCA because they wanted to serve the Church in more ways than just being on the altar guild. Like being able to read the lessons and distribute the sacrament. Even Roman Catholics allow that but not the Missouri Synod. Also,the gay issue will continue to divide the LCMS.

We’re a church of sinners, and we love the sinner - but those that are unable respond to the Gospel by repenting of their sin are welcome to worship elsewhere.

We don’t begrudge the ELCA, only that those that are in it should tend to their own dwindling flock (10% leaving in the last two years) rather than drag us with it.

 

[LegoGE1947]

We’re a church of sinners, and we love the sinner - but those that are unable respond to the Gospel by repenting of their sin are welcome to worship elsewhere.

We don’t begrudge the ELCA, only that those that are in it should tend to their own dwindling flock (10% leaving in the last two years) rather than drag us with it.

Do Lutherans and Anglicans have the “urge to merge?”

 

[LegoGE1947]

Well, I’m not sure you really want to know this, but … Henry VIII’s children (Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I) had no offspring so the crown went to the House of Stuart (in the person of the descendants of Henry’s sister Margaret Tudor), and when the Stuarts ran out of non-Catholic heirs it passed to the House of Hanover (in the person of descendants of Charles I’s sister Elizabeth Stuart), and when Victoria of the House of Hanover married Prince Albert it became the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha but during the First World War that name was thought to be (unaccountably) German, and the name was changed to Windsor. When Elizabeth II married Prince Philip the name of the royal house could have changed to the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Gluecksburg but they seem to have thought keeping it Windsor was simpler. OK?

I think Windsor is much simpler and less tongue-tying than Schleswig-Holstein etc. Makes me tired just to think about that! Also it sounds like a lawyer’s practice!

 

[hn160]

Do Lutherans and Anglicans have the “urge to merge?”

Only if Anglicalians accept the Lutheran Confessions, male priests, Real Presence, etc.

 

[Picky_Picky]

I think Windsor is much simpler and less tongue-tying than Schleswig-Holstein etc. Makes me tired just to think about that! Also it sounds like a lawyer’s practice!

Or an advertising agency, perhaps. Now that the crown is going to pass to the eldest child rather than the eldest son, we’re likely to get a queen regnant as often as we get a king, and I think we’re unlikely to keep changing the name of the Royal House. I think it’s Windsor from here on.

 

[JonNC]

=EvangelCatholic;10868338]Don & Jon

As I have mentioned before, I am a product of the Missouri Synod; my parents and many family members stayed in the LCMS during the unfortunate time at Concordia Seminary but were unhappy how the situation split the church. My strong catholic roots were a result of being brought up in the Missouri Synod. At Concordia - Bronxville and then when I attended Valparaiso the Eucharist was offered several times a week including Sundays on campus. At Concordia - Fort Wayne we celebrated Mass daily; as practiced at Concordia - St Louis. Many of those who left the LCMS were devout catholics who no doubt influenced the ELCA. I can’t say that these former Missouri Synod Lutherans were why the ELCA adopted apostolic succession since the Augustana Synod were Swedes but we had an impact of moving American Lutheranism toward fuller catholic practices.

I have not mentioned any doubt about the faith of any Lutheran. I do at times call into question the confessional expression of said faith. I have mentioned to you that I was raised LCA/ELCA by a pastor. I am a strong supporter of apostolic succession because it is the good practice of the historic Church, and it is confessional.

Having said that, I see the LCMS as conservative and narrow-minded in a way that will and is causing trouble for the faithful. My sister and many in my wife’s family left the LCMS to join the ELCA because they wanted to serve the Church in more ways than just being on the altar guild. Like being able to read the lessons and distribute the sacrament. Even Roman Catholics allow that but not the Missouri Synod. Also,the gay issue will continue to divide the LCMS.

What is always curious to me about those who profess a rather progressive view is that, on the one hand they ask for tolerance of their view, but on the other hand those who hold the opposing view are “narrow-minded”. In my LCMS parish, women can and do serve in various roles, including council. I would contend, 1st, there is no “gay issue” in the LCMS. We have a loving, Christian approach that welcomes gays, but at the same time positively preaches the historic teachings of the Church, law and Gospel.
It seems, in all honesty, that the schisms and fractures over the issue are in the ELCA.

BTW, the pastor of Ebenezer parish was a student of Christ Seminary [Seminex]; she was taught by professors from Concordia Seminary. No one condoned what she is now doing. Another former LCMS parish is the University Chapel at Cal-Berkeley where the Goddess rosary is also said. The local bishop does not like what is going on and has said so but is being judicious and careful not to alienate gay Lutherans.

I will leave it to our synod, but I do expect the synod to stand steadfast.

Jon