WHY THE NAME LUTHERAN?

A Statement from The Office of the President
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63122
United States of America

I find it exceedingly difficult to understand why we would wish to sort of "disguise" our true identity to people. We surely have nothing to be ashamed of when we claim the name Lutheran. Simply put, it is inappropriate for congregations of our Synod to shy away from clearly identifying themselves as Lutheran congregations and as members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Now, more than ever before, we need clearly to distinguish ourselves from other Lutheran groups.

I think the Synod in its last convention said it best when it adopted the follow- ing very helpful resolution. I would like to quote it for you:

"Whereas, we have been called Lutheran since the formation of our Synod (and since Reformation times) and are thankful for our doctrinal background and heritage; and whereas, the name Lutheran clearly identifies what the member congregations and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod believe, teach and confess; and whereas, basic Christian honesty and integrity require that no deception of any sort be used in declaring the truth of the Gospel before all the world, as St. Paul declares: "Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 4:2);

Therefore be it resolved, that all congregations and mission stations in our Synod boldly profess in their official title and/or name that they are "Lutheran"; and be it further resolved, that all congregations and mission stations of our Synod state in their materials (bulletins, newsletters, etc.) that they belong to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it finally resolved, that all LCMS congregations gladly proclaim our great doctrinal heritage to a world that needs the clear proclamation of the truth."