Harkness Tower, Yale University Main Campus
Kenneth J. Schmidt has left a new comment on your post "Stanley Hauerwas in the News":
I read a couple of books by Hauerwas. While not orthodox, his ideas on the connections between the church and the culture are interesting and provocative. I used to keep one of his quotes taped to my desk:
"One reason why we Christians argue so much about which hymn to sing, which liturgy to follow, which way to worship is that the commandments teach us to believe that bad liturgy eventually leads to bad ethics. You begin by singing some sappy, sentimental hymn, then you pray some pointless prayer, and the next thing you know you have murdered your best friend."
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GJ - Two approaches will supplant and displace the influence of Church Growth loonies. One is proper, respectful, liturgical services with Lutheran hymns and a well crafted sermon. The sacraments are not something we hide as Lutherans, because they matter so much. But we do not commune everyone who drops in, just to be popular with the anything-goes crowd. A congregation that knows and loves Gerhard and Luther hymns will not fall prostrate before a pit band playing "You Light Up My Life" while Cousin Brunhilda warbles.
The second is pastoral visitation, which should be a regular routine, especially to the sick, shut-in, and dying.
One pastor said, "The reason for the rot is the lack of pastoral work done." Anyone can coast along for years as a well-established congregation fades. Once the rot is established, the Shrinkers step in, because (like Obama) they represent change.
4 comments:
Insurance Agent Jackson,
If that's what you're looking for in a church, then I think I've found one for you -- The Core
Reilly's comments are odd, because they don't follow the criteria listed above. If R is trying to be funny, it's also odd.
I used to be very middle of the road on the use of what has become the so called "Contemporary" worship. I didn't see the danger and like our regular reader Joe Krohn, I saw little danger in it, but thought - "worship as it suits you." By "Contemporary" I do not mean songs simply written in the 20th century. Plenty of music written in the 20th century would not sound anything like what is being used in many churches today. I speak of the pop-style, emotional, sentimental type music that is used in a growing number of churches including WELS.
I fnally awoke when the above blue high-lighted paragraph above came to pass. (except of the murder part)
Yes, I know of and have personally been involved where Unionism was allowed in a couple of particular WELS settings. Near pentecostal, simultaneous verbal prayer buzzing was allowed in the same. Fellowship principals were "in agreement" with the Biblical understanding, but the practice of the same was as liberal and open as any individual saw fit to practice, without any concern of reprimand. I personally had enough concern that I was able to give an honest to goodness counter point to what was passing for fellowship and worship. I dared to challenge it within myself. Seeing the offense that is was also causing to the larger body of believers, my views now come down on the side of orderly, solemn, complete,and a porper use of the liturgy and hymns and of course the sacraments.
I think the Dr. clearly hits the nail on the head with his comments. Bitter old man or not, he is correct in this matter.
"One pastor said, "The reason for the rot is the lack of pastoral work done." Anyone can coast along for years as a well-established congregation fades. Once the rot is established, the Shrinkers step in, because (like Obama) they represent change."
There are too many lazy, good-for-little pastors. In their eyes, however, they are infinitely deserving.
But the reason they (i.e. lazy pastors) don't accept correction is that so many of them actually do work long hours, just not on sermon preparation, orthodox worship planning, visitation, prayer, and Bible Class preparation; but rather, gym floor refinishing, schmoozing, pontificating nonsense in endless meetings, etc. Many "non-church-growth" pastors have nevertheless, as Herman Sasse observed, bought into the American business model that measures faithfulness by how many meetings were attended, how long they were, and how shiny the gym floor is for the Lutheran basketball tournament. Then those same individuals hide behind saying well at least I'm not "church growth."
Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for your phrase "well crafted sermons." True Lutherans have always believed in quality preparation and execution, which is precisely why they established the gymnasium system in America with it's thorough and broad education. It is sad that some have so betrayed their education and theological forebears.
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