In reply to Lisa Havens.

"I do not know of any LCMS members who believe they are the only Christian believers."

Lisa, I do know of LCMS members who believe they are the only Christian believers. Members of my own church are so accustomed to bashing other denominations (particularly Roman Catholics for some reason) when have not necessarily studied the doctrines of these denominations and making statements about these people and their intentions when they have not actually discussed Jesus or the bible with them. Because I was never exposed to this in all of my life growing up in the Roman Catholic Church, or in the Baptist congregation that I attended for a while, I was quite surprised by it. I continue to be horrified by this even after being a member of my LC-MS church for 20 years. I do believe that the doctrine of the LC-MS is excellent, but unfortunately we are sinners and many of my brothers and sisters in Christ here at my church have made the mistake of assuming that they know who they will and will not see in Heaven.