Lutheran identity crisis 2

I'm pretty well steeped in what it means to be a Lutheran - to understand that my salvation comes only from the grace of God - and here's why. I was baptized in a Lutheran church, grew up in a Lutheran church, confirmed my faith in a Lutheran church, went to CLBI (the L stands for... wait for it... Lutheran - shocking!), went to U of A and attended a Lutheran church, and then married a Lutheran pastor. Here' s where things for me hit a cross-roads.

I am a Lutheran but for some, the difference between the Synods causes people to act strangely. You see, I grew up in the ELCIC and when I got married, I married an LCC seminarian who would later become an LCC pastor. I now get a "stuck in the middle with you" kind of feeling from both sides. Why does the difference matter to people? Probably because they don't understand the other "side." The thing is, it's not the other "side". Both Synods subscribe to the exact same documents and most importantly, the Bible. There are jokes made about going over to the "dark side" but both ELCIC and LCC people make this joke. ELCIC people get called hippie-Lutherans while LCC people get called uncaring, stuffed shirts. It's not right, but it happens. People like to judge what they don't understand.

In the LCC churches I have attended, I have been asked how I liked Concordia. Why is it assumed that I went there? When I mention I grew up in Grande Prairie, people ask if I know so and so. My reply: "Well, no because I grew up in the ELCIC congregation." To which the person says, "Oh." As though that changes how they feel about me. Sometimes I even feel that I should be embarrassed. I'm not.

Conversely, in the ELCIC I now feel like I wear a sign on my back that says "Synod jumper." People find out that my husband is an LCC pastor and I get the same "Oh" and feelings of awkwardness by the other person. I just wish people would base their opinions on who I am, and not on my affiliations. It's stupid and petty and frustrating. Thankfully, it is only a minority of people.

For the most part, people accept me for who I am and it doesn't matter where I grew up or where I am now. I know who I am in Christ and I know what I believe. I am totally confident in that. I just wish people wouldn't get so hung up on labels when clearly they don't understand the differences.

I am a proud Lutheran (most importantly a proud Christian) - I grew up in the Lutheran church and continue to attend a Lutheran church. I know there are differences between the church of my past and the church of my future, but that doesn't make me any less or any more, better or worse. I do not naively believe that the Synods will one day fully agree. Truthfully, they will most likely become further apart. But at the same time, I can pray for God's faithfulness to His church and the continued faithfulness of His people.

Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen - Martin Luther