I am Lutheran Because...
Since 1986, our church has been persistently defining what being Lutheran means. Through our ministry, our values, our outreach, our fellowship and our theology, we have been growing as a church. I use the term growing, because it is indicative of the journey that we’ve been on over the past four decades. Collectively and individually, we have a rich breadth of experiences that have shaped who we are as the ELCIC: moments of joy, moments of learning, moments of hardships and tough conversations, moments of hope. All of it — regardless of what numbers we see on paper today—contributes to who we are and what we stand for. When formulating this anniversary issue, that is the sentiment we wanted to accentuate, diving deep into exploration of our Canadian Lutheran identity. How are we propelling the life of the church forward? How is our identity continuing to be shaped?
Growing up as a “cradle Lutheran,” a few of my early childhood definitions of being Lutheran looked a little like this:
Lutherans love coffee. (Now, I can recognize that while that may also be true—coffee hour was never truly about the coffee to begin with, but rather the fellowship.)
Lutherans love music but can be adverse to dancing.
Lutherans love camp. Outdoor ministry is a common Lutheran experience, especially as a child.
Lutherans are “chill.” God remains at the core of all they do, and they know how to have a lot of fun along the way. I remember many a moment where I walked away from an interaction thinking, “Wow, church people can be fun too!”
Lutherans run a tight program on Sundays. I recall the occasional times I would bring a friend to church, and they were shocked at how worship was short and sweet, unlike their churches, that could run on for hours and hours.
Now, those childhood observations may not be the most astute. Maybe some of these remain relatable for you, or maybe not. I can say, though, that as an adult, my understanding of our Lutheran identity runs deeper than “coffee” and “fun” (even though I still think they are integral aspects).
As a young person who grew up Lutheran due to circumstance, I remain Lutheran because of who we are as a church. Our ability to laugh together, cry together, help each other; our deep devotion to serving others; our openness to learning and adapting as the world changes around us; our dedication to our relationships with each other, with the divine and with creation; our mission as a church, to live out God’s grace and unconditional love; our understanding of God as a loving God, above all else.
As you read this anniversary issue, I hope you feel inspired for what lies ahead for our beloved church. In the feature article, contributors shared their reflections on why they are Lutheran. I’d like to ask you all the same. Why are you Lutheran? What does it mean to you, being an ELCIC Lutheran? And, what are your hopes and prayers for the ELCIC, as we celebrate 40 years? You are welcome to share your own reflections to editor@elcic.ca! I would love to hear from you.
Happy anniversary, ELCIC!
Sarah Malina
Editor
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