http://oldapostoliclutheran.com
I want to share this web site address and thank the author for support when I needed it most...
God Bless!
posted by Left the OALC at 6:06 PM
I left the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church
All previous posts are available for viewing. Comments can be made under the 3 most recent posts. Feel free to cut and paste from an old topic.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
God Bless!
9 Comments:
WOW! What an awesome, awesome website! This person sures knows what they are talking about. They surely KNOW God's loving Word. I thank he/she for taking the time to put that all together. Wonderful! Love it. Right on target.
I actually still attend the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, and have had many doubts on matters within the Church. I had trouble with many of my doubts feeling very sinful within for feeling the way I did. One day I came to realize that you don't have to agree with everyone else. You listen and take in the good, and leave everything else. I don't look at whether the church is right or wrong, I think people should follow their hearts to what they truly believe within. The Church is not about guidlines and in no way similar to a colt, no one can tell you that you are or aren't a cristian. I think when you feel your heart is in the right place, hang on to what God has given you , no matter what denomination you believe, and feed on that to strive from day to day.
To Anonymous: Your approach is a very healthy approach. It's also healthy for those who struggle to embrace it, and for those who cannot embrace it, to pursue a happier, more satisfying path. And either way, it's okay.
Hello this is the same person that posted the comment at 2:36 on Nov. 6th. I was in a rush before and did not quite get done writing. I've read many comments about the OALC and have comments of my own concerning them. A lot of people have talked about how we wear our hair, and in some localities we are referred to as bunners from ladies wearing their hair in buns. It seems as though those people resent us for some reason. Not everyone wears their hair in buns although we are encouraged to wear it up in church. I'm not exactly sure of the reason for this but I know it is an old tradition. It doesn't mean that everyone has to wear their hair up or even wear a scarf. The statement made that we are not advised to read the bible on our own is also false. We are actually encouraged to do so. Our Preachers may not be the brightest in the world but I've come to find that they always speak the truth or whats morally right. I believe they do their best in guiding us on the right path whether you believe their word is coming from God or not. It seems that everyone has this negative view because maybe they had a bad experience or something like that, but there is so much more to this church than meets the eye. I'm sure to people that have never attended or even people who have left will point out the bad things that I try to explain or help change your views. Don't look at what the Church doesn't offer, look at what it does. For me it's a place that I'm always happy. Being raised in and out of the church it was always hard for me to decide. The more I was around Christians and the more I studied the word of God, I was happier than I had been in a long time. I've found that most christians are the kindest people I know. They are full of happiness and always greet you no matter who you are. Someone else on the sight had said it was like a large family and it truely is. I'm so happy to be apart of it.
Hello anonymous!
I'm glad you took the time to come back and tell the rest of your thoughts.
I agree with you totally about the Preachers, and I believe they are preaching what they believe to be the truth. I've always respected that they weren't afraid to call a sin a sin, and admit their own daily sinfulness as well... And I agree with you that they do their best in guiding us on the right path whether you believe their word is coming from God or not.
I appreciate your advice to not "look at what the Church doesn't offer, look at what it does." Before we had children, my spouse and I could go and "listen and take in the good, and leave everything else". We knew there were things that they preached that we didn't quite believe or agree with, but we felt the good outweighed the bad... Then we had kids, and everything changed. We found that with kids, you can't "listen and take in the good, and leave everything else".
Kids need consistency. If there are things they see in the home life that would be considered sin at OALC, they worry their parents are going to hell. Try explaining to a child, "I know that's what the preachers say, but here's what we believe" and not feel guilty when they ask you if they're going to hell for watching Barney.
From watching other children raised "in and out of the church", they're usually messed up to some degree. They don't truly fit in with OALC because they have secret "allowances" they take, and they don't really fit in with "worldlies" because of the guilt of being with "worldlies". They have difficulty finding a mate in the church due to their "allowances" they take, but a worldly mate isn't likely to truly embrace the OALC "Christianity"...
I agree with you that many OALC are the kindest people I know. It was me who said it was like a large family, and that part I will miss.
I'd be interested to know more about your comment "The more I was around Christians and the more I studied the word of God, I was happier than I had been in a long time." Are you referring to gatherings? Tell me about your studies...
I am glad that you've found happiness there, and truly wish you continued happiness and peace. For some, I believe it is the right way.
We now attend a Bible based church. It does not focus on the enlightened teachings of a man, but the teaching of God's inspired Word-- the Bible. We have no secrets about what our church says vs. what we do to confuse our children now... We acknowledge our sinful nature and our unworthiness. We rejoice in Christ's love that paid the ransom for us...
I agree with the previous poster who said "Your approach is a very healthy approach. It's also healthy for those who struggle to embrace it, and for those who cannot embrace it, to pursue a happier, more satisfying path."
Without my children, I could take the good with the bad. I don't believe it's healthy to raise children "in the church" unless you're ready to follow the OALC teachings. When it comes to your kids, I believe you should get all the way in and live by their "rules", or get all the way out of the OALC.
I believe God led my family and I to do the latter, and have never felt closer to His Word.
I truly wish you God's Peace :)
God's Peace. I was surprised to find this site and others. I have been looking for quite some time, just hadn't shortened it to OALC. In the locality I was a member in, women were required to wear scarves. Preachers discouraged us from reading the bible as we needed to have faith in their translation of the scriptures. I found that the preachers were unwilling or unable to help with day-to-day issues as they are not true counselors. I had a real hard time accepting that I wasn't to do good for others, even OALC members, because that wouldn't get me into Heaven, so why do them. I found most OALC members to be cold and backstabbing to me (very blatant so I would have no question as to their motives both at my home meetings and at meetings in Hancock, Minneapolis and Spearfish). This was very hurtful. And for those who are wondering, I was born into OALC, people looking to join are treated worse (I witnessed this firsthand). To this day, my immediate family are the only ones who will speak to me after leaving OALC and continue to tell me that OALC members are my "only true friends". I am so blessed to have searched and found a wonderful church that encourages bible study, member interaction, counseling, searching for the truth, true friendship, etc. I thank OALC for my core values of the 10 commandants and work ethic.
OALC preachers do not all give the best advice. One of my cousins was raped by another member of the church who was married... she was anally raped so she would not become pregnant. When she told the preachers they told her not to go to authorities because it could "reck his family". I'm sorry..but that is so completely unacceptable... Of course she didn't go to the proper authorities to force him to stand before the law....this is what the church promotes.
To Anonymous above:
Please encourage your cousin to go to the police and file a report. This is the only option that has the slightest hope of changing the way preachers deal wtih sex abuse in the OALC.
Catholic men finally came forward even though decades had passed - and their courage to do so is the only reason why the church is just now dealing with its awful history.
To Anonymous above:
Please encourage your cousin to go to the police and file a report. This is the only option that has the slightest hope of changing the way preachers deal wtih sex abuse in the OALC.
Catholic men finally came forward even though decades had passed - and their courage to do so is the only reason why the church was forced into and is now dealing with its awful history.
<< Home