tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post4579573622857341844..comments2023-10-15T07:32:34.706-05:00Comments on Watersblogged Archives: Tales from the darksideRobert Elart Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18182251436190781481noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-11699181872015498512010-06-09T16:21:19.858-05:002010-06-09T16:21:19.858-05:00Thank God for both of you. You care about the eter...Thank God for both of you. You care about the eternal destiny of your children, and are willing to stand up in their defense against the wolves.Robert Elart Watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18182251436190781481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-84699131370272305072010-05-03T23:14:25.426-05:002010-05-03T23:14:25.426-05:00James:
I hope that the transition goes well for y...James:<br /><br />I hope that the transition goes well for you and your family.<br /><br />My two younger children are 12 and 14. The 14-year-old has had mixed feelings about the change. The transition to a different Confirmation class syllabus and making new friends was a big step for her. <br /><br />But as you said, the LCMS church that we moved to here in Murrieta CA could not have been more accommodating or welcoming.<br /><br />I give you a lot of credit for at least standing up and engaging in the good fight!<br /><br />Pax,<br />TonyEl Cidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10541350679599893588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-15734537136326799852010-04-30T00:26:10.536-05:002010-04-30T00:26:10.536-05:00We had a similar experience, TheMonteVI, though I ...We had a similar experience, TheMonteVI, though I did not attend the CWS. Afterwards, as I considered our course in anticipation of our annual congregational meeting, I attempted to discern the positions of our Church Council. Couldn't get a straight answer, pardon the pun. Not support for the CWS's actions, just ... non-commital. Found out only then that a single Church Council member had resigned over the decision, when the rest of the Church Council refused to discuss it.<br /><br />And when I stood up to raise the issue of our continued relationship with ELCA at the congregational meeting, my wife had to second my motion to proceed to any discussion, and when I asked "What manner of deviancy will the ELCA endorse next?" our "pastoer" --- channeling Caiaphas, if I'm not mistaken --- interrupted me and declared that "offensive."<br /><br />It was at that point that I painfully realized that we would be leaving our congregation of 20 years, the only congregation my sons --- 13 and 9 --- had ever known. Painful, but necessary.<br /><br />It was gut wrenching. What was even more gut-wrenching was the realization that I didn't know those people any more. Not sure I ever did.<br /><br />However, we found a very welcoming LCMS congregation, one which treats biblical teaching seriously. Interestingly enough, we have received a warm welcome even though they are in the midst of a call process, from a vacancy pastor.<br /><br />James Young<br />(Formerly) St. Matthew's, Woodbridge, VirginiaJames Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15983017193858666436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-14355894521478314232010-01-30T12:41:21.487-06:002010-01-30T12:41:21.487-06:00Pastor Waters:
Thank you for your help and advice...Pastor Waters:<br /><br />Thank you for your help and advice. On August 24, the Monday after the ELCA church-wide asembly, I drove my oldest daughter to Concordia College in Moorhead. While motoring through the Twin Cities, we stopped at Central Lutheran to see the damaged steeple and stand in the sanctuary where the Good Soil celebration had been. I cannot describe how "weird" it all seemed.<br /><br />Nevertheless, upon returning home to California we switched to a LCMS congregation. My two younger children are enrolled in their soldily biblical confirmation class.<br /><br />I have mixed feelings about not staying in the ELCA and fighting the good fight. In my former congregation of over 1,000, it felt like I was the only layperson that either new what happened or even cared.<br /><br />With the new church therre is a new start, and I have committed to becoming very involved and much more educated. I will heed your advice of Joshua and Hur in our new church.<br /><br />Thank you for your support and concern for my family.El Cidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10541350679599893588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-47922113395121885262009-08-19T20:51:06.496-05:002009-08-19T20:51:06.496-05:00Oh, and one more thing: if you can't do anythi...Oh, and one more thing: if you can't do anything else, remember the example of Joshua and Hur. If your pastor is faithful and trying to witness to the truth, support him. Hold up his arms when they start to falter. Never, ever let him think that you don't care. And don't let the Powers that Be think that, either.Robert Elart Watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18182251436190781481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-36544432723411097132009-08-19T20:49:09.258-05:002009-08-19T20:49:09.258-05:00Take an active interest in the doctrine of the chu...Take an active interest in the doctrine of the church body to which you belong. Insist on straight answers from your pastor and from your bishop. Go to Synod Assemblies. Speak up for the truth. Insist on it. Demand it- for the sake of those four children.<br /><br />Refuse to allow error to be treated as a viable alternative to the truth. Insist that your pastor preach the truth. Utilize whatever influence you can muster- including not only your voice and vote at congregational meetings and synod assemblies, but your contributions- to combat apostasy.<br />Do everything possible to see that your fellow members are aware of the issues and of what is going on.<br /><br />And if your pastor is not teaching the truth, hold him accountable. If you're not able to, for the sake of those kids get them to a congregation where the Word is taught in its purity and the Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. Don't simply trust what you read in <i>The Lutheran;</i> seek out the readily available alternative sources of information. There are a great many "resistance" organizations in the ELCA; few, if any, are wholly reliable theologically, but all are better than Higgins Road.<br /><br />And if things finally get to the point where your voice is stifled or ineffective, leave. Join a congregation where those kids will learn about the Bible instead of a Left wing social agenda.<br /><br />Above all, make yourself heard. Just because you're a member of Christ's flock doesn't mean that you have to act like a sheep. Hold your shepherds at all levels accountable- and simply refuse to let any of them feed you or family adulterated food.<br /><br />Sound off. Make a nuisence of yourself. Witness for your faith. <br />Insist that those kids get what you know they need, and in a pure and unadulterated form. And do anything it takes to get it for them.<br /><br />Don't let the wolves make them their prey.Robert Elart Watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18182251436190781481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-10147199313821347392009-08-19T15:03:15.735-05:002009-08-19T15:03:15.735-05:00So let's assume that I am a member and I have ...So let's assume that I am a member and I have four children that need to learn the bible and go to Sunday School.<br /><br />What am I to do?El Cidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10541350679599893588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089029.post-6536264599357946592009-08-18T19:07:32.152-05:002009-08-18T19:07:32.152-05:00I can attest to Pastor Waters' experience with...I can attest to Pastor Waters' experience with lay people begging him to stay. It happened repeatedly. There were also pastors who pledge support of the resolution of which Pastor Waters writes. The resolution with all the whereas statements had been read by them and input requested. In the end, they voted against the resolution. When I asked why, they claimed that one of the whereas statements was too divisive. No mention was made of these concerns when the resolution was discussed among us. I believe it is not unfair that to say that this demonstrated a lack of courage of conviction.<br /><br />May God have mercy on those faithful lay people who are in the care of hirelings and wolves.<br /><br /><br />Michael ZamzowPomeranushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788099139283548601noreply@blogger.com