Thursday, September 11, 2008

Where did my Grandfather's Church go?

I was thinking about "this isn't your Grandfather's church"...The Church of both of my Grandfathers is no longer. It used to be Our Redeemer Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in Silverton, Ohio. Until the Pastor retired and "Pastor Tim" came on board. He "recruited" people into the church with "visions" and things of that nature. Shut down the church school (one thing he was Called for was to get the School back on its feet. Which could have been done. He didn't actually WANT to do that.) and decided that Silverton wasn't a "good enough" place to grow because it was full of OLD people. (sigh) They moved out to Maineville Ohio (over 30 miles from the original church site) thus displacing hundreds of older folk, including my Grandmother who, instead of driving the extra miles, 30 to Crosspointe and 20 to the next closest LCMS church, has joined the ELCA congregation that is only 5 miles from her former church. Many of her friends of the same age, she's 88, have done the same.) and called themselves "Crosspointe Community Church". Go ahead. Click on the link and look at the home page. Where does it tell you that it's a LCMS church? Heck, where does it use the term "Lutheran" at all??? Can't find it? Well try out the "Who we are" page...oops..not there either huh?? Okay, well it HAS to be on the "Worship" page...right??? Oh gads. Not only isn't it there, but you find a picture of "Pastor Tim" preaching...in his vestements? Nope, those are for STODGY churches with DEAD RITUALS. No really, that's what it says. Here, I'll quote it for you...

Originally Posted by ccc

We believe that people are looking for a service that is welcoming to all and is designed to make room for the person who was "turned off" by what they perceived as the "old, stodgy church," filled with dead rituals. We believe that there are a significant number of people who are looking for something new and fresh that speaks to their hearts in a language they can relate to. Thus, our worship celebrates diversity and variety.

end quote

So, I scroll down the page to see what "My Grandfather's Church really has turned into...actually, I can't even bring myself to quote it. It really turns my stomach.

So, I need to find the LCMS...where is it? Where is the "proof" that this is still a Lutheran Church??? Ooh look..."Our Ministries..." Dang. Nope, not there either. And not under any of the "ministry" tags either. It's not under "contact us" it's not under news and events...oh wait...that's the whole website. Not one reference to the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

But I'd bet that if I wanted to take my not yet confirmed Husband to CCC, he'd be welcomed at the "table of the lord" (can't bring myself to capitalize what I am SURE is a travesty of a farce.

My Mother has a friend that decided she wanted to know what the Lutheran faith was about...she's closest to CCC so, since the sign out front says lcms in teenytinylittleletters she and her family went there.

She called my Mom after that and said "I can't believe you're a Holy Roller" and my Mom was aghast that her friend would think that. But after hearing about the "service" Mom encouraged her friend to drive a little bit more and check out either our Church or a sister Church that was only 10 minutes further from CCC. Mom's friend is now begining membership classes at King of Kings LCMS. The "old stodgy church" won out with these "young people" (they have 5 kids. the oldest is 4.)

Kae

PS. I did find "LCMS"...but let's see how many of YOU can find it too.

3 comments:

dakotapastor said...

Please post your story on the Wittenberg Trail. Many others in your situation would appreciate it.

http://wittenbergtrail.ning.com/

Kae said...

Not sure where to leave it on there. :o) I'm a member over there as well...WildStrawberry

single lutheran said...

I grew up attending a traditional LCMS church in rural Minnesota. About 2 years ago I moved down south (to the "Bible Belt")to teach at a Lutheran School. In many ways it has been an adjustment. Thankfully, there are some within my church and school that are working on maintaining our strong Lutheran beliefs and heritage, including our pastor. A few things have changed since I've been attending this church, but from what I understand somethings were even worse in the few years before I came here. I can see the progress we are making, and I just hope that it continues in the right direction.

I hope and pray that other churches continue with their Lutheran beliefs and heritage, rather than change things just to increase membership.

-In Christ,
SingleLutheran

P.S.-You can check out my blog at www.strugglingsinglechristian.blogspot.com