“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
So Juliet asks Romeo. As two lovers they are doomed from the start. They are members of two warring families. In this famous quote Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention, and that she loves the person who is called “Montague”, not the Montague name and not the Montague family. Whatever Romeo may call himself – Juliet loves him.
What’s in a name? In a few short weeks the LCMS will meet in convention. Many resolutions will be debated, discussed, argued over, and finally passed or rejected. Several proposed resolutions call for strict, almost mandatory, adherence to the name Lutheran. Some in our synod question how any new mission start could dare to refrain from having the word “Lutheran” in its name. Some in our synod are troubled, some are aggravated, that discussion might take place over the very name of our beloved Synod. How could we be called anything other than The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod?
Are these the issues we should be debating, arguing over, and finally passing or rejecting? Our Synod is declining in membership. A recent report indicated we are losing our young people at an alarming rate. The community in which I serve has almost 70% of its population unchurched. Are we focused on how to reach more people for Christ in a culture becoming more diverse in ethnicity, economic status, educational levels, etc? Are we focused on reversing years of decline in membership? Are we focused on charging each member of Synod to explore new ways to reach young people for Christ? Some are focused and concerned. They have expressed such concern. And yet, I fear too many are focused on the wrong issues. Whatever we call ourselves, if we cease to exist in 40 – 50 years, will it matter what we “used” to be called?
Let me challenge every believer who reads this to rededicate himself or herself to the great cause of sharing the faith, building the Kingdom of God, and offering our lives in sacrificial service to the Lord of the Church. We are focusing too much on the wrong things and too little on the right things. What can you personally do to introduce one soul to Jesus Christ? When will you be about His business? Why not right now?
Why is the Synod even arguing over this? Argue about something important if we must argue. I know Water’s Edge is a Missouri Synod congregation, and if I did not, I could easily find out. This, to me, is about as important as all the discussion (rather distraction) regarding traditional vs contemporary services. Go to the one that means the most to you and stop the complaining about the other. Sometimes there is value in the old saying, “Different strokes for different folks.”
Comment by Don Emerson — June 19, 2010 @ 6:34 pm |