Concern for children and future spouses
My children were brought up WELS. They have met the one they would like to marry, but that one is of another faith. My children are considering a non-denominational church, so as to not choose their Lutheran faith, or faith of the one they want to marry. Of course I am not happy with that. We brought our kids up going to church every Sunday, Sunday school, daily devotions. It scares me that they now can consider anything other than our WELS Lutheran faith. What is something loving and caring that I can say to them, to make them think harder about it, and hopefully make the right decision? I have said to them all I can think of. I pray about this daily. I don't want to give up hope.
Since I do not know what you have talked about with your children, please excuse any suggestions that you have already pursued.
I can suggest that your children invite their significant other to events that can expose them more to what our churches teach: worship services and Bible classes. They pass along reading material like Forward in Christ and Meditations. They can read articles on the synod’s website. They can speak with your pastor. They can consider attending a no-strings-attached Bible Information Class.
You can lovingly explain to your children that membership in a visible church is a tangible way of doing what Jesus said: “acknowledging him before others” (Matthew 10:32). You can explain to your children that when people join a church, their membership is an indication that they believe what the church teaches. It is inconsistent and misleading when people join a church and reject the doctrines of that church. You can ask your children, lovingly, if they could in good conscience join a church which teaches doctrines they do not believe. Could they in good conscience join a church that denies the sacraments, for example? Jesus’ statement of loving him more than parents or children (Matthew 10:37) applies also to our spouses.
Your children are having the kinds of conversations that need to take place before marriage. I would especially encourage the participation of your pastor in those conversations.
Continue to pray for your children, and tell them you are doing that. God bless you and your family.