Illinois Lutherans

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Do you live in Illinois, or are you from the Prairie State? Illinois Lutherans is a growing friendly gathering place for Lutheran pastors and laymen to explore and discuss issues related to the Confessional Lutheran faith in Illinois. Welcome!

Members: 25
Latest Activity: Apr 12

Do you live in Illinois, or are you from the Prairie State? Illinois Lutherans is a friendly gathering place for Lutheran pastors and laymen to explore and discuss issues related to the Confessional Lutheran faith in Illinois. We hope to have the privilege to hear from you here!

In 1839, Bishop Martin Stephan , who led the Saxon emigration from Dresden to Saint Louis, Missouri, was deposed, excommunicated, and exiled to Illinois (of all places!!). Illinois Lutherans is a good place to consider the history of Lutheranism in Illinois as well. If you can share your knowledge with the rest of us of what historic developments took place in Illinois, it will be most appreciated (please document sources where appropriate).

This group, however, is about much more than Illinoisan Lutheran history: Use this group as a place to meet and connect with other "Christ-centered, cross-focused" Lutherans to discuss issues that matter to you, to explore ideas that relate to Lutheranism here, in the Land of Lincoln.

Just get your coffee, grab a Chicago-style hot-dog with all the toppings, and join us at Chicago Theological Café to discuss what matters to you in a good, friendly manner--or, if you prefer, the more informal Downstate Diner.

Suggestions are always welcome, to make this the best forum possible to discuss what concerns us. We need your help, including inviting others to join who have some Illinoisan connection. Got some good news to share? We'd love to hear about it. Some not-so-good news? We would still like to hear your concerns (while putting the "best construction on everything").

To start out, why don't you tell us where you're from? Chicago area? Rockford? Aurora? Springfield? Somewhere else? Please identify what part of the state you live(d) in, or where you went to school here. The first item on our agenda is introductions. My name is Rik, and I live in Rockford. Originally, I lived in Skokie. And who, may I ask, are you?

Discussion Forum

Names & Faces (or at least icons) 21 Replies

On the Title Page of Illinois Lutherans (and hopefully below the name list), you can see everyone in the group by either a photo or an identifying icon. As of the beginning of the day, February…Continue

Tags: introductions, faces, names, Lutherans, Illinois

Started by Rik Eischen. Last reply by Cory Howell Apr 12.

Chicago Theological Café (a place to meet and connect with other Illinoisans and former Illinoisans) 34 Replies

This is it! You're here! Use Chicago Theological Café as your spot to meet other Illinois Lutherans. Whether you're on your way to a meeting, or munching on some Chicago-Style pizza, we want to hear…Continue

Tags: meet, connect, introductions, Cafe, Theological

Started by Rik Eischen. Last reply by Rik Eischen Apr 2.

History of Illinois Lutheranism 8 Replies

What are some of the most important events in Lutheran Illinois history? I hope you'll share your knowledge with the rest of us, so we can all learn something about our past.Did C.F.W. Walther meet…Continue

Tags: Luther, Lutheranism, Illinois, history

Started by Rik Eischen. Last reply by Rik Eischen Apr 29, 2010.

Downstate Diner 21 Replies

There's a lot more to Illinois than Chicago. If you need a Trail-side stop to rest for a few, and grab a bite, join your Illinois friends here! The coffee is flowing (I hope!). What's cookin' in your…Continue

Tags: friends, table, talk, family, coffee

Started by Rik Eischen. Last reply by Rik Eischen Apr 9, 2010.

Rockford Roadhouse 7 Replies

Rockford Roadhouse for real, Genuine, Confessional Lutherans. Yet another place to gather, you will find no intoxication or gambling at this fine Illinois Lutheran "location." Let's gather together,…Continue

Tags: confessional, genuine, real, roadhouse, Rockford

Started by Rik Eischen. Last reply by Rik Eischen Apr 1, 2010.

Suggestions 5 Replies

We're always glad to find out what might make this group more helpful to you. Please make your suggestions here. I'll check back from time to time.

Tags: suggestions

Started by Rik Eischen. Last reply by Rik Eischen Mar 15, 2010.

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Comment Wall

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You need to be a member of Illinois Lutherans to add comments!

Comment by Cory Howell on April 12, 2013 at 9:43am: P.S. Even though I haven't attended a Lutheran church for many years, I am a HUGE fan of the LCMS Lutheran Service Book; I think it's the best hymnal out there right now.

Comment by Cory Howell on April 12, 2013 at 9:42am: Hello! I am no longer an Illinois Lutheran, but I was raised in an ELCA church in Chillicothe, IL. And my late grandfather was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL (except for a brief dalliance with the Pentecostals in the 80s). So, even though I currently work at a small Methodist church in Nashville, TN, I have a strong connection to Illinois Lutheranism!

Comment by Rik Eischen on July 30, 2010 at 8:31pm: Does anyone know if there are any BJS chapters in the Rockford, Illinois area?

Comment by Rik Eischen on May 25, 2010 at 8:24am: Steve,
Do you now use Christian Worship? What did you use last? Lutheran Service Book (LSB)?

Comment by Rik Eischen on May 23, 2010 at 10:31pm: "Maybe the WELS will continue using / endorsing The Lutheran Study Bible (CPH) which uses the ESV." THIS LINE WAS MEANT TO SAY: "Maybe the WELS will consider using / endorsing The Lutheran Study Bible (CPH) which uses the ESV." Sorry for the mistake!

Comment by Rik Eischen on May 23, 2010 at 10:29pm: In the 48 page "Sampler" for CPH's The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV), it lists Roland Cap Ehlke (WELS) as one of the Associate Editors--also Victor H. Prange (WELS). Others from WELS and ELS were involved in the project: Mark E. Braun, Adolph L. Harstad. Mark J. Lenz (WELS) and Michael K. Smith (ELS) were listed among "Study Note Authors" for the project. Maybe the WELS will continue using / endorsing The Lutheran Study Bible (CPH) which uses the ESV. We'll have to see if they choose that in convention. Has the WELS reviewed the ESV yet? I know that early on they didn't as they thought the language in this translation is more archaic than they preferred.
My preference is NIV and ESV side by side, with the KJV not too far away. Take a look at the Wittenberg Trail (WT) group "Scripture Memory" for a good translation comparison. Just scroll down and check out the comment wall!!!

Comment by Steve on May 23, 2010 at 8:59pm: Thanks for sharing. I was just curious. I know, being in my mind 30's I was exposed to the NIV. I can tell you though I miss the ESV that I was exposed to for a few years. Going back to the NIV was somewhat difficult again. I found the ESV strange in the beginning........and then it grew on me.

Comment by Rik Eischen on May 23, 2010 at 3:21pm: It was decades ago, but to the best of my memory, I was not opposed to the ones selected, but looked through the Bible at other ones I might consider. That was my preference, and the pastor was fine with that! In the 1970's the church was using RSV at the time--before they switched to NIV, and now, probably ESV. Thanks for asking, Steve.

Comment by Steve on May 23, 2010 at 11:58am: @Rik,

Did you have that one in mind right away? Or was it something you went searching for as you didn't like the suggested ones?

Just curious if it was something that had always kind of stood out in your mind.

Comment by Rik Eischen on May 23, 2010 at 6:07am: " I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 RSV)

We got to pick out a confirmation verse. We were given a couple sheets of paper that had some more common confirmation verses written out, but were told that it didn't have to be on one of the sheets (mine wasn't).