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Liturgical or Not?
author Michael Horton suggests that every Christian gathering has a liturgy. LITURGICAL OR NOT? Liturgy is a word that conjures up different images for different people. Some, reacting against being raised in formal churches in which nearly every word was scripted and carefully followed, view that word as a threat to the Spirit’s freedom and an invitation to lifeless routine. Others place so much confidence in the formal liturgical patterns that they seem to diminish the role of the sermon and confuse human traditions with divine command. No term is neutral. Each is inevitably embedded in practices for which those using it are either grateful or suspicious. I was raised in churches that were, on the whole, suspicious of forms. The more extemporaneous the actions in the service, the more genuine we felt ourselves to be. We were not "playing church" as others were. And yet, we too had our liturgical forms: We all knew when to stand and sit, and we all could anticipate what was coming next. Some take spontaneity to the logical conclusion of simply sitting and waiting for the Spirit to lead, as in Quaker practice, or sing until members feel led to express themselves in some manner, as in some charismatic churches. But even these become established forms and predictable patterns. Regardless of where we find ourselves on the ecclesiastical map, it can hardly be disputed that all churches have some sort of liturgy. From the Latin word meaning "service," liturgy refers to the assembled gathering of God’s people. — Michael Horton, A BETTER WAY: REDISCOVERING THE DRAMA OF GOD-CENTERED WORSHIP. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002, p. 141. ISBN 0-8010-1234-1. Horton is president of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (www.alliancenet.org) and a professor of historical theology and apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in California. ====================== Upcoming WORSHIP LECTURES at THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY in Louisville, Kentucky ====================== Donald Hustad, author, organist, hymnal editor (The Worshiping Church), choral musician, and former professor here at Southern Seminary, will present a series of lectures on March 19, 21 and 26. These lectures are free and open to pastors, church musicians, and anyone who want to better understand the history and practice of biblical worship. Please spread the word to your friends in the Louisville area. For more information, please contact carlstam@aol.com. 12:30pm on March 21 & 26 "Worshiping the God of Creation and the Redemption" 2:30pm on March 19 & 21 "Church Music and Worship in Crisis" ====================== Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |