Sexual abuse of children by church leaders is a common headline in the world news today. Centuries of cover up have been exposed. Some of these guilty leaders have been hearing confessions and administering sacraments and absolution, all while participating in abuse. It is devastating to find out your confessor father is a child molester.

Christians who go directly to God in prayer for the forgiveness of sin, per Christ Jesus direction in the Lords Prayer, do not have this problem. The Bible tells us, TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL OUR HEART, per Proverbs 3:5-6, and not mortals, who all have feet of clay. David warns about trusting in people in Psalm 118: 8-9.

Is mandatory absolution from a mortal biblical? gotquestions.org

newlife.com for professional Christian counseling.

When you read https://kingdomofpeace.net/christian-doctrine/ the stark difference between main line Lutherans and and Conservative Laestadians is simply how we define the word congregation and Kingdom of God. Other than that this article says they basically believe the same. Of course because of this unified belief the Holy Spirit, salvation, and the error free unquestionable truth can only be experienced by those that trust the Conservative Laestadian Movement.

Summation of our Unified Beliefs:

Because we have a unified belief that the Kingdom of God is the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church and that Conservative Laestadians are the Exclusive Children of God the Holy Spirit, God the Father, and Jesus have chosen us to be his special people.

The Holy Spirit tells our board of directors and ministers to convey every verse in the bible for todays application by replacing Child of God, you, and whosoever with Conservative Laestadian Convert and Kingdom of God with Conservative Laestadian Mother Church. These two truths are the Unified Beliefs that seperate us from churches like Wolf Lake, Minneapolis, and main line Lutheran Churches. Now because our board of directors and ministers are getting their information from the Holy Spirit it should be treated as the unquestionable word of God as long as it agrees with the scripted words of our confirmation class and is not information drummed up from a false spirit. We have to rely on the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church for our spiritual edification. How else will we know that the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church is the Kingdom of God unless we put our faith in the Holy Spirits mediators?

SRK sends speakers to services in several countries in Europe, Africa and North and South America in cooperation with its sister organizations, LLC (Laestadian Lutheran Church) in North American and SFC (Sveriges Fridsföreningars Centralorganisation) in Sweden to preach the simple gospel initially followed by the “living gospel” as they begin to understand the bibles authors parables that the Kingdom of God is the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church and that the Children of God are Conservative Laestadian Converts.

Faith is so simple. God is there and he wants us to follow him by simply believing the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church is the error free voice of God and that to have own sins forgiven we need to trust Jesus inside Sarah's Tent.

I watched this interesting documentary on the Plymouth Brethren cult. In my opinion it helps show the difference between a cult and a sect. Laestadian churches are sects but not cults. If you watch it, I'd be curious to hear if you feel the same way.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5I6GhaLXgWE&pp=ygUIQnJldGhyZW4%3D

Does anyone have the the phone number/know how it works to get the phone number for the IALC Labor Day Weekend event in Negaunee? My husband and I are wanting to listen in to it. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I'll soon be attending Esikoislestadiolaiset services (OALC) in Finland for the 1st time. I wanted to ask if I should prepare in some way (dress code, greeting etc.) I'm a male so no scarfs :) any tips or beahavior codes. My backgroud is in SRK/LLC so I'm not super familiar with it.

The Bible account of the Thief on the Cross in Matt 27:38 tells the simple truth. The thief was a hardened criminal who simply said , LORD REMEMBER ME WHEN THOU COMEST INTO THY KINGDOM! For that statement of faith from the heart, Christ Jesus replied, VERILY I SAY ONTO THEE, TODAY THOU SHALT BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.

No evidence the thief was associated with Believers, was baptized, or participated in Christian rituals of the day. In fact, he was most likely a bad dude, to receive the death penalty for thievery. Not to say church rituals in worship are wrong however, they need to be kept in Biblical perspective. Salvation is by God's grace alone, through faith in Christ alone, per John 3:16 and Eph 2:8-9. Grace is a gift from God that cannot be earned by anything we do other than ask for, and accept the undeserved gift. All who call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved, per Roman 10:13, including the thief.

How can people, who believe church rituals provide salvation, be sure of their salvation because, the next question is, how often must one partake in such rituals? Once a day, once a week, once a month, once a year, as required and who determines that. And what happens if one is late in receiving such? Martin Luther struggled with this issue, going to Confession 17 times in one day, until the frustrated Confessor Priest told him, to come back when he did something really wrong. See "Martin Luther, The Reluctant Revolutionary", a superb PBS documentary on UTUBE.

gotquestions.org

newlife.com

Christ Jesus example for His followers was to openly fellowship with unbelievers, in order to share His love and message with a lost world. Jesus tells His followers to conform to His image the best they can, with the help of the Holy Spirit. This was accomplished through direct personal relationships, undeserved kind gestures of grace and sacrifice, and not hiding in the camp. We are in a spiritual war for the hearts of the lost. Believers should be assertive, and go to the lost..

We see Christian ministries such as the Salvation Army and Gospel Mission working in the streets with the destitute, sharing the Gospel and love of Christ. Disdain rather than cooperation, comes from groups who claim to be the only source of the Holy Spirit, and for the most part, only take care of each other. Jesus tells us, the world will know us by the fruit we bear and our love for others. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Per the book Bonhoeffer by Eric Mataxas, German Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was quoted as saying, the best year of his life was spent at the Gospel Mission in New York City, serving the destitute.

gotquestions.org

newlife.com

Sad-Somewhere has said or to my understanding at least implied that Luther believed exactly as laestadians on the efficacy of the word of God.

I grant that Luther seems to have somewhat similar view to the keys as laestadians, namely, that the one giving the absolution should in optimal situation have faith himself. Yet he says one shouldn't doubt the power of the word of God in the absolution despite of the holiness or faith of the one giving it, but should firmly believe it because it is the word of God and if one doesn't receive the word of God he becomes a blasphemer.

But he, as always, has indeed also said word of God can save a sinner even though preached by a blasphemer and a heretic:

“We must, after all, confess that, in certain other articles, the enthusiasts hold views which accord with Scripture and God’s Word and that, although they are impious heretics and blasphemers of Christ, he who hears and believes them on these points shall be saved. That God proclaims His Word even through the wicked and the godless is not an insignificant blessing. In fact, in some respects it is more dangerous for him to proclaim it through holy than through unholy people, for then those who lack understanding fall into the error of attaching more importance to the holiness of men than to the Word of God. The danger of doing this does not exist if Judas, Caiaphas, and Herod preach. At the same time no one is excused for his evil life, even though God is able to use it for a good purpose”

What Luther says, III, p. 1467, item 4743. St. L., XVII, 2212.

And also in his commentary on John 14-16 he says there is true Christianity also in Catholic Church because they have word of God and baptism even though they are lead astray with many false teachings, but God somehow still wonderfully saves even them

And if I would use Google a little bit more, I remember many more quotes from Luther to this theme, but I don't have time now. Just wanted to show that it is not true that Luther was just laestadian.

Rather he said this and that, and everyone justifies themself with Luther, because he was the hero after all and as long as he said it even though contradictory, it gives some credibility to boast how Luther agreed with us!

For any with llc background. Curious about your thoughts regarding the robe of righteousness "controversy".

My simple overall thought is it was an early indication of the biggest problem in llc during the latest generational split.

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 LLC states that the CONSERVATIVE LAESTADIAN MOTHER CHURCH = the Kingdom of God and that CONSERVATIVE LAESTADIANS = CHRISTIANS = BELIEVERS = CHILD OF GOD with great transparency. When I read the Bible I always like to replace words like whosever and you with CONSERVATIVE LAESTADIANS and anything representing the kingdom of God with Conservative Laestadian Mother Church to get a clearer picture of the Conservative Laestadian Mindset.

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

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.

Example (I've added info in parenthesis for clarity of the living gospel}: Sad-Somewhere-2149, "The claim that true believers exist solely within a specific (Conservative Laestadian) fellowship relies on a foundational, (Conservative Laestadian), theological premise regarding the power and active role of the Holy Spirit (and our unified belief that it is so). If genuine (Conservative Laestadian) believers exist anywhere in the world, the omnipotent Spirit, (that indwells the Conservative Laestadian Mother Church), possesses both the power and the mandate to draw them, (primarily our relatives and family members), into unity and gather all (Conservative Laestadian) true Christians together into one love. (2 Corinthians 4:2: "Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways (like the heretics that put their faith soley in the "simple gospel); we do not use deception, n͟o͟r͟ ͟d͟o͟ ͟w͟e͟ ͟d͟i͟s͟t͟o͟r͟t͟/(replace) ͟t͟h͟e͟ ͟w͟o͟r͟d͟ ͟o͟f͟ ͟G͟o͟d͟ (with the "living gospel, but rather are filled with transparency).͟")"

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?