Finale

This is the letter we will most likely be sending out later today:

16 July 2010

The Reverend G (Last Name)

Elders of the Church

Congregation members

SITP Lutheran Church

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Dear Pastor (Last Name), the Elders of SITP, and Church Body -

We sincerely apologize for the appearance of disrespect in our recent letters when we neglected to properly use the title of “Pastor.” We intended no disrespect whatsoever. Neither of us was raised in a church where the title “Pastor” was used as a formal address, so the appearance of disrespect due to the lack of this title was in no way intentional. Please forgive this oversight on our part.

We are sad that any member of the congregation would be treated in the manner which we have experienced in this situation.

In light of the letter sent and the pamphlet presented on LCMS's stand on “close communion,” as well as other issues within the SITP body, it is very apparent to us that SITP is not where we feel the Lord would have us worship. Please know that we appreciate the Pastor, the elders, the council, and the members of the congregation, and love you all very much. Our time at SITP has helped us to grow and has stretched us and strengthened our faith. We thank you and you will remain in our prayers.

We formally request that our names be removed from your membership rolls.

Sincerely & with the Love of Christ,

Mr. and Mrs. Duane D

cc: the elders

I'm looking forward to moving on & putting this behind me.  I know that i tend to obsess about things & have a hard time letting go.  It takes me a while to move on.  We want our names off that membership list ASAP for as long as we are listed as "members" we are under their authority, sanction, & discipline & they can claim we are working at "disaffection."  Speaking to another member freely would be seen as an attempt to sabotage the church.  I want simply to not have that hanging over me.  


Duane had me edit this quite a bit.  I had it simpler, but he wanted to make sure that this letter is clear - we are apologizing for messing up the title/address used, NOT for the contents of the previous letters.  He also had me add the "We're sad that any member . . . " line/paragraph.  We had to think about it a lot in order to do that, for we didn't want to look like we were taking parting shots at them (tho of course we're honest to admit between us that is exactly what we WANT to do). 

Looking forward to new adventures!  And may they be a little less "interesting" than this one turned out to be.  

I'm probably not done with writing about LCMS background, however.  I find that the history of that church is, i believe, poisonous.  I'm leaning toward rejecting most organized church doctrine.  The believers in the early church did not have big, fancy buildings, detailed dogma, or the other trappings we've come to see as "church."  They got together, studied what scripture they had, praised & worshiped God, & celebrated together. 

I've long said that i believe the statements of the Nicene creed & don't think we should be adding more.  The idea that believing in a 7-24 hour creation, or whether Jesus will return "pre- mid- or post- tribulation" or any other "set in stone" belief churches have set out has anything to do with a real walk with God is ludicrous to me.  Also, i was taught in school, many years ago, that we look at the base of what the different churches teach.  If they are based on the very basics of what is accepted as Christianity, that the rest of the things they add on the foundation are merely window dressing.  (Although, the history of LCMS is that if you do not believe exactly as they do in every particular, then you are "in error."  I hate such rigidity.)  Of course, that was before the homosexuality issue was so at the fore.  Also, many churches still bear the name of Christ, & may even say the creeds, but what they believe & teach doesn't really align with that. 


Thoughts for another day. 

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