Our Church Council Reflects On Being “Lutheran”

The pastor sends a late night text:

Wild hair thought for your Tuesday morning: I wonder if our church name, Good Shepherd Lutheran, actually had any legit or accurate meaning in 2021.

Like, you’ve heard of us and even may be a member, but does the Lutheran part do or mean something to you?

I have begun to think that another word might serve better… Good Shepherd Ecumenical, or Good Shepherd Peoples’ Church.

Nothing against Lutheran theology but I wonder if anyone knows what Lutheran even is anymore.

Over the course of a few days, the responses roll in:

When I started going to GSLC, I was struck by how little I heard about what being a Lutheran means. (Then someone (thank you) gave me a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism!)

I wasn’t drawn to GSLC because it is a Lutheran church, but because it is a progressive, welcoming congregation. But I have come to love and embrace the liturgy, the rituals, and the mindset (for the most part) associated with an ELCA Lutheran church.

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Good challenge here. My bigger concern has been if ‘Lutheran’ keeps people away. Not because there is something they don’t like – but just because they don’t know. Not familiar.

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Keeping in mind that my first interaction with Lutheran and ELCA was at GSLC with Clint and then another member. It could have been named anything and I would have still wanted to be a part of it.

Anyway, there is Luther the Reformer who makes for an awesome introduction to the theology. And there is no doubt it is Ecumenical and a People’s Church. All are welcome.

I am good with Lutheran, but would willingly listen to others who might make a case for something else.

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I didn’t know anything about Lutheranism until I came to Good Shepherd.

This may sound hooky but I ran a metaphysical shop for awhile and I really enjoyed studying people. I noticed that there is some kind of divine relationship amongst groups of people. I could tell if someone was a Pagan, a Buddhist, a Christian or whatever just by meeting them. It was beyond how they dressed or anything like that. It’s like they all belonged to each other and they found one another through their spiritual interests. Upon this observation I couldn’t help but wonder who my people were.

I found them when I walked into Good Shepherd and met Clint. The people in the congregation that I saw at the first service all looked familiar even though I didn’t know any of them. So for me it was nothing about Lutheranism but as I learned more I have come to love it and I like knowing that we belong to a larger organization, the ELCA.

So many of “our people” to meet. I think it’s important to keep the name Lutheran so that people know who we are. Also I just learned that MLK is named after Martin Luther the reformer.!!!!! I probably should have known that but now I am even more proud to call myself a Lutheran! Sorry for the long message just had to share.

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So I have slightly mixed feelings that our church includes the Lutheran name. I never planned to be Lutheran. As someone else mentioned it might scare people away a little. It made me hesitant. I literally felt like having the name Luther in the title made it seem like they might sort of worship Luther. That sounded crazy to me but I just didn’t know. Now here I am and I love our church. I specifically love our traditional service with the liturgy. I do feel the name is necessary. I don’t like when churches leave out their denomination in the name. It feels dishonest to me.

An important distinction for me was learning that it was ELCA and not Missouri Synod. I knew Missouri Synod was closed communion. I was so relieved when I found out GSLC was open communion. I think that is what finally made me open to visit.

Comment: Oh yes, – wow – very insightful on your facebook post about people who DO NOT like the theological affiliation not being in the name of a church or organization. Wow – those were helpful. It was clear that being Lutheran in our name is pretty important not to turn people off.

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I have always been wary of “non-denominational” churches because I always wondered what they really were. I do not easily jump intro anything not knowing what to expect. i.e. is a non-denominational church really southern baptist in disguise!?! When someone above mentioned the dishonesty, that notion speaks to some of this!

So for that reason, I agree that I like having Lutheran in our name and i am proud to be a part of this denomination. And, anyone can talk to one of us or research a little bit and should be able to clearly understand what we stand for.

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Church and church music were an absolutely huge part of my childhood and youth.

Luckily, my parents are open-minded, well-read, curious, and are very comfortable in their own deep faith. Raised as Presbyterians, they switched to the Methodist Church when it was the only Church in town with a nursery so they could sing in the Choir. Priorities!

My husband and children were drawn to GSLC through music. Mainly because my son was invited to play in worship with a friend, then was invited to join the Praise Band.

My husband’s parents had been married in the Lutheran Church, so although not raised attending church, my husband didn’t feel completely freaked out at attending a Lutheran Church.

I miss the Methodist Hymns and singing the Doxology! Otherwise, being Lutheran is fine and dandy. I have even mastered the tiny difference in The Lord’s Prayer. I have had long, deep talks about religion with my folks. It’s all good. I consider myself lucky. I still feel a bit like a Methodist, attending a Lutheran Church. When you are confirmed in one denomination, I think it sorta sticks with you. But I do love that sung Liturgy!

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So you know – my “Lutheran” story is not interesting. I had read about denominations for years – for me, it was about knowing what I would NOT be a part of. The study of Calvinism is how it began for me – way back before we moved to Europe and attended that church – SOME. I was studying Christianity all along – and Luther definitely caught my attention – the ELCA didn’t pop up that much, but I was more interested in the academic approach to Christianity v the emotional/rules church of Christianity that I had been exposed to while growing up. When we moved here – a close family friend was our draw. We respected her – a family member spoke highly of the church (but had not attended) and thank goodness, my spouse said she would like to attend. She still cannot say we are “Lutheran” – and I proudly tell people I am Lutheran.

Some have deep, emotional scars from religion. I was given hope by it.

And thank you so much for a few years ago recommending to my daughter the book “American Jesus” – I loved it. I looked for it again to re-read (I’m not sure I finished every bit of it) – and I think I loaned it to someone! It put the historical perspective into who we are and why.

I just wanted to share. I’m proud to be Lutheran and I can’t see me anywhere else.