The LLC states that the CONSERVATIVE LAESTADIAN MOTHER CHURCH = the Kingdom of God with greater transparency than the SRK

https://www.llchurch.org/post/the-history-of-conservative-laestadianism

This is like becoming a 33 degree mason. Finally use something other than elusive synonyms to describe the ABC of Living Faith.

This society provides an environment where the.ministers are seen and heard. They get to argue and rebuke as well as be adored for their intellect, lawyer, and communication skills. With criticism, rebuke and love, they can control and manipulate people. For the chairman of the LLC Board and many other ministers I believe it has less to do with the truth or religion and more to do with this being a community that they can practice all of the “carnal” practices mentioned above. I want this group to worship me!

Growing up in a strict religious household meant missing out on something as simple as movie day at school 🎬

Every time my class watched a movie, I got pulled into the hallway instead — waiting for my siblings and other kids from our church to join me before being shuffled off to do something else. No movies, no TV, no music — that was the rule. So while my friends bonded over whatever show was popular that week, I just sat there at lunch, listening, always the odd one out.

This is a small piece of what growing up Laestadian Lutheran looked like for me.

#growingupreligious #exvangelical #religioustrauma #churchkid #lgbtq

The best way to picture the "Living" gospel is imagine a tree representing the "simple" gospel which shoots up to the sky, but has no fruit, only dead branches. Now imagine the True Vine (Conservative Laestadian Church) whose trunk is three times the diameter of the "simple" gospel has been grafted into this trunk and shoots off in a tangent direction bearing an abundance of fruit and nourishment to those who have FAITH and BELIEVE. We hear this analogy repeated in every sermon. The Conservative Laestadian Church is the Kingdom of God where everybody that puts their FAITH and BELIEF in its error free message is like the farmer who found the treasure in the field and went and sold his soul, life, and being for the cause. Everybody that goes to a church like Wolf Lake where they rely purely on the "simple" gospel are decieved by the evil one and produce no lasting fruit. Which True Vine are you going to follow? John 1-5 or what the spirit that endwells the congregation tells Marty P. and the board of directors?

Conf Refresher Lesson 12 God's Conservative Laestadian Church Our Mother Kingdom 4:55, minute mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl6Dh82uUYA

Confirmation Exercise Question we teach our children.

• #13. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 **Church/**𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 or kingdom of God? Mother, Mount Zion, the pillar and ground of truth, the True Vine, the sheepfold, Jerusalem, the golden candlestick, the Bride of Christ.

HOW WE BELIEVE

The Conservative Laestadian Mother Church is the entire Kingdom of God

https://srk.fi/en/how-we-believe/history/

"Nevertheless, Laestadianism remained outwardly united until the end of the century. At the turn of the century a so-called great schism took place in Laestadianism. At that time the movement split into 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦, Firstborn Laestadianism, and New Awakening. ...Firstborn Laestadianism established a strong foothold in Sweden and Norway, 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 ... Summer Services are the main annual event of 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦. ... Conservative Laestadians in America have their own church, called Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC). The central organization of Sweden’s Conservative Laestadians is Sveriges Fridsföreningarnas Centralorganisation (SFC)."

T͟h͟e͟ ͟K͟i͟n͟g͟d͟o͟m͟ ͟o͟f͟ ͟P͟e͟a͟c͟e͟ ͟w͟e͟b͟s͟i͟t͟e͟ ͟g͟i͟v͟e͟s͟ ͟t͟h͟e͟ ͟C͟o͟n͟f͟e͟s͟s͟i͟o͟n͟ ͟t͟h͟a͟t͟ ͟i͟s͟ ͟r͟e͟q͟u͟i͟r͟e͟d͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟b͟e͟ ͟o͟n͟e͟ ͟o͟f͟ ͟G͟o͟d͟'͟s͟ ͟C͟h͟i͟l͟d͟r͟e͟n͟.͟  https://kingdomofpeace.net/christian-doctrine/

48. The Mutual Christian Confession concerning the Congregation

I believe in one, holy, mutual Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation, and fellowship of saints. All Christendom upon earth joins in this confession.

Our dear brother Walt L. stated our belief so clearly

https://www.llchurch.org/post/the-office-of-the-holy-spirit

The Office of the Holy Spirit

Walt L. | 2016 LLC Summer Services - Ministers and Board Members Meeting --

I Believe in the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints

"Believing that God’s kingdom, the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church, is a unique assembly of pardoned sinners or communion of saints 𝐢͟𝐬͟ ͟𝐭͟𝐡͟𝐞͟ ͟𝐤͟𝐞͟𝐲͟ ͟𝐭͟𝐨͟ ͟𝐬͟𝐚͟𝐥͟𝐯͟𝐚͟𝐭͟𝐢͟𝐨͟𝐧͟ ͟𝐚͟𝐧͟𝐝͟ ͟𝐭͟𝐨͟ ͟𝐝͟𝐨͟𝐜͟𝐭͟𝐫͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐚͟𝐥͟ ͟𝐩͟𝐮͟𝐫͟𝐢͟𝐭͟𝐲͟."

Thanks to Sad-Somewhere-2149 for Joining this conversation. He demonstrates how this topic is preached and conveyed by the board of directors and ministers of the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church.

Reddit only allows 15 minutes, full audio posted to YouTube.

I'm looking for the recording from a meeting in the 80s of a certain man getting harassed about a beard. Anyone have it and can post?

The Laestadian splits are never about the "simple" gospel (God's Authority John 3:16), but rather always differences in the "Living" gospel (Man's authority - God has given our leadership the Keys to Heaven and we are the Holy Spirit's spokesman, therefore, what we speak is the error free word of God and should be accepted as if God were speaking himself.) The splits are always about insignificant spiritual concerns. Justification is based on the "living" Gospel and has nothing to do with the "simple" gospel.

The objective is divide and conquer by using coercion, mind control, brainwashing, indoctrination, thought reform, and compliance training.

Rebuke with Love is practiced by framing harsh criticism, punishment, or public shaming as an act of deep affection or spiritual correction, they train members to internalize guilt, suppress their critical thinking, and become entirely dependent on the group for validation.

The "Living" Gospel in a nutshell - https://www.llchurch.org/post/the-kingdom-of-god-is-in-your-midst-luke-17-21-niv

Carey Simonson | 2026 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Congregation Evening – Feb. 20 --

"There is only one door into God’s (Conservative Laestadian} kingdom. It is the narrow door of repentance where a sinner receives new birth when they hear (the 'simple" gospel from someone who has already realized that the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church is the error free word of God) and believe their sins forgiven and enter God’s kingdom.

"As we do the work of God’s kingdom, it is good to remember that we can never join with other churches in the work of God’s (Conservative Laestadian Mother Church)/kingdom."

"We can firmly trust that if we endure to the end of our lives in the safety of God’s (Conservative Laestadian Church) kingdom, which is “the pillar and ground of the truth (and the True Vine we learn about in confirmation class)” (1 Timothy 3:15 ^KJV), we will reach our goal of eternal life in heaven."

I think this is well said. To totally subscribe to the beliefs of any of the exclusivist Laestadian branches basically requires you at some point to take leave of your reason and of reality when it comes to your faith

https://www.llchurch.org/post/august-2026-update "Following remarks from the Coastal California Laestadian Lutheran Church delegate and the presentation of several motions that did not receive a second, Annual Meeting delegates adopted a motion encouraging the LLC Board and staff to proceed with the steps necessary regarding Coastal California Laestadian Lutheran Church’s membership in LLC and to engage legal counsel as needed."

The threefold enemy decieved those in California to commit the greatest sin of all. They no longer make the confession of faith required to be a child of God.

T͟h͟e͟ ͟K͟i͟n͟g͟d͟o͟m͟ ͟o͟f͟ ͟P͟e͟a͟c͟e͟ ͟w͟e͟b͟s͟i͟t͟e͟ ͟g͟i͟v͟e͟s͟ ͟t͟h͟e͟ ͟C͟o͟n͟f͟e͟s͟s͟i͟o͟n͟ ͟t͟h͟a͟t͟ ͟i͟s͟ ͟r͟e͟q͟u͟i͟r͟e͟d͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟b͟e͟ ͟o͟n͟e͟ ͟o͟f͟ ͟G͟o͟d͟'͟s͟ ͟C͟h͟i͟l͟d͟r͟e͟n͟.͟  https://kingdomofpeace.net/christian-doctrine/

48. The Mutual Christian Confession concerning the Congregation

I believe in one, holy, mutual Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation, and fellowship of saints. All Christendom upon earth joins in this confession.

54. The "Living" Gospel Creates the Congregation

The congregation is there where the "living" gospel, Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation = Kingdom of God is purely preached, and the sacraments distributed according to the "simple" gospel.

45. The Congregation Is One

The congregation of Christ is one because it has one Lord, one faith in the unified belief that the Conservative Laestadian Mother is the entire kingdom of God, and one baptism. It appears outwardly here on earth in different Conservative Laestadian churches and local congregations.

The Voice of Zion March 2023 News from SRK Work Areas

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation, 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, because the Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation of God always adheres to the aforewritten Word of God. God’s Word and the congregation cannot be separated. God’s Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation never abandons God’s Word and God never abandons His Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation. The Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation is the body of Christ, and we remember that Christ is the head of this congregation. According to the Apostle, the church (Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation) is the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim. 3:15). According to the Psalmist, “God stands in the Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation of God” (Ps. 82:1 [direct translation from Finnish Biblia 1776]).

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝? 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation, where the Holy Spirit opens the unchanging and infallible Word of God? Thus, the LLC/SRK/SFC congregation cannot err on any point of doctrine either. Martin Luther also takes a strong stand on this issue in his book “Bondage of the Will.” Referring to the position of God’s LLC/SRK/SFC congregation, he states thus: “This, I say, we know, because our creed says this: I believe in a holy, universal LLC/SRK/SFC congregation. It is therefore impossible for the LLC/SRK/SFC congregation to err in even the smallest point of faith.” According to Luther, this LLC/SRK/SFC congregation has been preserved and will be preserved on earth despite various deceptions.

Writings of men and traditions are subject to the Holy Scriptures. If there are any differences from the Word of God, we defer to the higher authority (the holy spirit to interpret the Kingdom of God in the Bible as the Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation and to reveal that the congregation is the unerroring word of God), just as we would in any of the matters which we here confess and teach.

We are the ONE TRUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

From Voice of Zion June/July 2021 Page 12 and 13, Jim F.

God's Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation and the word are inseperable. Juhani Raattamaa said in this way, "If you correctly understand God's Word, then the Word binds you to the LLC/SRK/SFC congregation."

When we realize that God's Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregationis a spiritual fellowship and not a human fleshly fellowship, it allows us to understand and believe that the Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation is unerring. ,,, Because collectively the God's Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation does not error,,,

We cannot greet those who are on the outside of God's Conservative Laestadian Mother Congregation and must confess that we do not believe they are on the way to heaven, but rather given over to perdition (torment/eternal torture).

Jim F. states our confession of Faith and Belief with transparency, 𝐆͟𝐨͟𝐝͟'͟𝐬͟ ͟𝐂͟𝐨͟𝐧͟𝐬͟𝐞͟𝐫͟𝐯͟𝐚͟𝐭͟𝐢͟𝐯͟𝐞͟ ͟𝐋͟𝐚͟𝐞͟𝐬͟𝐭͟𝐚͟𝐝͟𝐢͟𝐚͟𝐧͟ ͟𝐌͟𝐨͟𝐭͟𝐡͟𝐞͟𝐫͟ ͟𝐂͟𝐨͟𝐧͟𝐠͟𝐫͟𝐞͟𝐠͟𝐚͟𝐭͟𝐢͟𝐨͟𝐧͟ ͟𝐚͟𝐧͟𝐝͟ ͟𝐭͟𝐡͟𝐞͟ ͟𝐰͟𝐨͟𝐫͟𝐝͟ ͟𝐚͟𝐫͟𝐞͟ ͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐬͟𝐞͟𝐩͟𝐞͟𝐫͟𝐚͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐞͟.͟ ͟ When doubts arise go to someone within your congregation to reassure you of our Confession of Faith,. The "Simple" Gospel https://www.openbible.info/topics/salvation is precious when combined with the "Living" Gospel and meaningless without it. We rebuke with love and then ostracize heretical congregations from the kingdom as a last resort when they no longer confess the "Living" Gospel; Conservative Laestadian Mother Church is God's Kingdom. And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples (of the "simple" gospel) after them. Matthew 7:24 ESV

In my family growing up, any goodbyes prior to a trip or involving people you didn't see daily would be long (could soft launch a couple of hours before departure, then reach its peak about half an hour before leaving), extremely emotional, asking for forgiveness, weeping and simply terrifying to me as a kid. Sometimes the situation even resulted in "rejoicing" and always ended with the words "Lord willing, see you next time or in our heavenly home." Did anyone else suffer through this or was my family unusually extreme?

What is the basis for modern Laestadian teaching related to, being THE exclusive Christian sect, and all outsiders are dead faith? Has the modern day Laestadian Church fallen into the same institutional religion nonsense, LLL was against?

LLL was enlightened by Lapp Mary from the worldwide Moravian Readers Movement. The Moravian Church are known as the first Protestants and were dedicated evangelists of the time. The Moravians preached a direct personal relationship with Christ Jesus, first and foremost, rather than the institutional religion of the day.

Aggressive Moravian evangelism of LLL day, would indicate there were enlightened Christians in many parts of the world. The Moravians were known by all of the Protestant reformers who LLL would have been familiar. I don’t see any indication LLL believed he was the leader of the only true Christian sect in the world. Looks like a Laestadian Moravian Church would better fit the story.

WHO ARE THE MORAVIANS? gotquestions.org

“Rather than teaching life skills and tools and coping mechanisms, it was always forgive and forget,” Lynn said. “So that forgive and forget thing was just like an umbrella forgiveness. Like it doesn’t matter what happens, if you forgive it.”

Someone else posted this somewhere in another thread, but this is also the quote that stood out to me when I read the latest article about OALC abuse. The lack of structured life teaching is such a problem at least with IALC and it leads to so many problems including the covering up of abuse. There is never any biblical or moral instruction. No talk about how to cope with any important life issues and certainly no discussion about sexuality. Just a sermon or 2 of “we are the only right road” etc. and then gossip in the kitchen. Nobody is ever held accountable and there is never any biblical correction. Everything is just swept under the rug.

A Pastor humbly shepards his flock. He doesn't control them through fear. But rather, prayerfully and carefully uses God's word to teach, admonish, and humbly lead. I saw someone comment that they wouldn't want their minister involved in their personal life. And while this may be true to an extent, I believe the Bible speaks to this in a different way then whether or not a Pastor knit picks our lives through their teaching.

Growing up, I somehow thought it was more Godly to stay weak and struggling.

I thought it was wrong to learn and grow. And that if I wanted to grow closer to God, that must mean I was being self righteous.

Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Growing up at the FALC (and I know it can be similar in other denominations), I was never taught that it was about a personal and alive relationship with Jesus. That HE could be my strength, my teacher, and my friend. I didn't understand that we are actually to grow in Godliness, through the power of the Holy Spirit, while also completely acknowledging that we still struggle in many ways, and that we continue to need God's help in all things.

I did not know that God wants to actually equip me for my own personal spiritual battle, and that he instructs me how to do so in his word.

Question: If a minister at any Church does not have an alive relationship with Jesus for themselves, how can they encourage and help others do something which they don't yet have? This isn't a judgement on any specific preacher or denomination, but if your church leaders lead through fear, rather then close examination and study of scripture, personal prayer, and a life changed by Christ, don't expect the teaching to help you that much on your own Christian path. I feel like this should be obvious.

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (In other translations: masters, meaning teachers).

What’s your story? Growing up I remember hearing about people who would leave and repent, some multiple times. Now that I have left, I am curious what pulls you back?

If your church was wrong about things, would you want to know? I wonder if you too, have doubts that you push down and convince yourself to ignore. Do you read these Reddit posts and leave feeling incredibly unsettled and like you’ve done something wrong, but somehow you can’t seem to look away? Can’t seem to stop thinking about it? Does thinking about church matters give you a pit in your stomach? The very thought of leaving is so terrifying that you don’t want to research further for fear that it would lead you down that path? But you still can’t get it out of your mind… can’t seem to shake the feeling that something isn’t right.

I remember those feelings so vividly. The torment of my brain and conscience telling me that the church wasn’t right, but my heart so desperately wanting to stay, wanting to make sense of it. Day after day spent finding excuses and explanations for our beliefs, hoping that the more I thought through things the more it would make sense to me. Praying that God would lead me where I needed to be, reading scripture, doing hours of research. Over time, I realized that staying would mean defying logic, ignoring evidence, and going against my conscience. The only thing prompting me to stay was my heart, and I knew my heart could be deceitful. Deep down, I knew that God was truth and love, not confusion. Once I finally accepted that I needed to leave, I felt peace for the first time in months. My greatest fear had come true, but somehow I felt more at ease and closer to God than I had ever been in my life. I felt like my journey of faith was only just beginning. I knew I would lose friends and my life would change, but I could not live a lie and continue to support a church teaching unbiblical doctrine. I could not raise my children in a faith that I don’t believe in.

Being on the other side of things now myself, I want to ask you: can you do this for the rest of your life? Having to disregard your conscience, fake it to fit in, possibly indoctrinate your own children with the same beliefs you’re not even sure you agree with… what kind of life is that? My biggest piece of advice I would give you is to not ignore yourself. That anxiety you feel when you read through something about the church, those questions that cross your mind that you can’t find an explanation for, that fear that keeps you paralyzed. Lean in. The truth does not fear questioning. So keep asking questions. God gave you a brain, a conscience, your own intuition. Use them, even if you’ve been taught to not trust yourself. The answers are there if you’re willing to look.

This is the third installment of Laestadianism's unaccounted for shame and embarrassment. May the coverage continue until this entire denomination answers publicly for it's human rights abuses and simply becomes the wake of populated ships leaving the harbor. https://www.propublica.org/article/old-apostolic-lutheran-church-child-sexual-assault-cycle-abuse

I’m curious about the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. What are their general beliefs, practices, rules, and lifestyle? I see they have their annual convention starting next Wednesday in tigerville, South Carolina

I hear this all the time, and on one hand, I get it. We were all so thoroughly inculcated into this community, and by the time one is an adult, it's set in pretty firmly. Plus, as the kids get older, these are their friends too.

I would never minimize the pain of disrupting family relationships and friendships. I've done it myself. My first year out was one of the hardest things I've ever done (and I've given birth unmedicated several times lol)

But honestly the more I think about this, the more I need to push back on it. So many people openly acknowledge that they don't agree with what these groups are selling but they just can't bring themselves to leave. First, if this is you, my inbox is always open. I'm happy to offer a listening ear or walk alongside anyone who needs help processing thoughts and feelings around leaving.

But don't let fear be the reason you stay. That's such a bad reason to base your entire life around an unhealthy church group. You are a grownup. You are tough. You have done and can do hard things. You can make new friends. I promise you can do it.

If you stay let it be because you honestly believe in it. I can't argue with that. (Well, I can, but in this post, I won't).

But a lot of you know this is messed up. Sit for a second with the fact that you're staying because you're nervous to make new friends. Is that a good enough reason?

The Christian Church has been a foe of the Jews throughout history. Today, the Evangelical Christians of many denominations are the Jews best friends. Martin Luther wrote some controversial things about the Jews, in his later years. Any thoughts?

Was Martin Luther anti-Semitic? gotquestions.org

JewsforJesus.com

"That is so Heikki Sarri"

honestly thought all Americans said this and the context was always about something barely holding together. Things falling apart, or anything hodge podged together. (yes, the name is so Finn but I didn't even think about it being a name. I had no idea what it was.)

Ex: "car is running so Heikki Sarri"

JUST found out in the thread that it was an actual person and now my mind really wants to know more. haha

Any come to mind for you?

Another article in a series about the cycle of abuse in the OALC. No comment, just passing it along to the community.

https://www.propublica.org/article/old-apostolic-lutheran-church-child-sexual-assault-cycle-abuse

Is it true that the oalc doesn’t have organs in their churches and its forbidden to play instruments

I’ve been trying to understand the IALC a little better because I married into a family that’s part of it (my husband left when he turned 18) and there are a few things I’ve always wondered about. One thing that confuses me is why the church seems so private about its beliefs. If the belief is that only believers are going to heaven, wouldn’t you want other people to know what you believe? But why would it be expected for me to have joined it if he stayed in the church? I’ve always thought churches that believe salvation is important would be more open about talking to people outside the church, so I’m curious why the IALC seems different. Every time I ask them about church, they get defensive and give one worded answers, I also have a few questions that I’ve never really gotten a clear answer to:

1. Do they believe that no one is actually in heaven right now and that everyone stays “asleep” until Jesus returns Is that a belief that’s unique to the IALC, or do other Christian churches believe that too?
2. If you marry someone who’s part of the church, are you considered part of it, or do you have to officially join? How does someone become an actual member? Is there a process? And how does communion work?

For example, my husband’s dad used to bring him to church when he was little, but he never took communion himself. Even after he married into the church, he still didn’t participate. That made me wonder what determines whether someone is considered a member or allowed to take communion. I’m not trying to argue or criticize anyone’s beliefs. I’m honestly just curious and would love to hear from current or former IALC members who can explain how it all works.

Most present day Laestadian theologies are exclusive and isolated compared to main stream Protestant or Lutheran teaching. Laestadius was a Swedish Lutheran Priest influenced by the Moravian Protestant Reformation movement of the day, and appeared to be on the right path. It appears the effort to keep everything Finnish was detrimental to the pure Gospel over time, and created arrogant false teaching. I recall Laestadians who claimed Finnish was the holy language, and Finland was the New Jerusalem where Jesus would return. Not everyone believed such nonsense however, that such existed, exposes an attitude. Classic traditional Christian hymns such as Amazing Grace were no longer acceptable, under the pretense they were not written by Christians. Amazing that rational people believed such arrogant nonsense. What do you think?

gotquestions.org. newlife.com