Doebler said, "What's wrong with copying cool graphics?"
Anonymous said...:
Making a charge stick against the C&Cers will prove next to impossible when it comes to heresy. C&Cers can bob and weave, rationalize, and mislead with the best since facts and reasoning must be checked at the door. The insidious harm comes in shifting the focus from the efficacy of the Word to the efficacy of marketing and buildings while draining WELS’ coffers. They threaten to render the synod anemic and unable to continue
January 23, 2009 4:04 PM
Freddy Finkelstein said...:
For what it is worth, I'll agree: there is little to celebrate, other than the fact that Synod has finally and officially opened the matter to discussion. But to say they won't find “scriptural reasons to condemn” the importation of sectarian worship practices is to miss the point. The COP is correct. The issues involved are extremely complex, and the concerns regarding so-called “non-traditional” worship do not boil down to a matter of opinion. This is the tired line that finally failed – the COP admitted that the “underpinnings of this 'non-traditional' type of worship cannot be ignored.” The “underpinnings” are not a matter of opinion, but a matter of grave concern. Moreover, these concerns are not satiated by a congregation's casual explanation that they “follow a lose liturgical framework based on the Western Rite, and don't really rock-out” in the Divine Service.
The point is, not only the Scriptures, but the Lutheran Confessions will play a direct and decisive role in deciding this matter. At its foundation the very nature of Confessionalism and the Confessional Principle is at stake, as is a distinction between merely rhetorical unity and true (visible) Unity in doctrine and practice, along with the breadth of this unity with respect to our catholicity. The efficacy of the Means of Grace is at stake, particularly with regard to the troubling fixation and reliance on statistical measures and human methods that assault the Means and very much seem to overshadow them. Fellowship is at stake, not only regarding open association with groups like Willow Creek, but the unmistakable overtures of Fellowship that result from adopting the worship forms of heterodox pop-church Evangelicals. The disruption of christocentric focus in liturgical worship is at issue, especially considering the anthropocentric nature of these sectarian innovations -- which also introduces consideration of the falsehoods that sectarian worship forms inevitably teach to those who practice them. And so, lex orandi, lex credendi also enters the picture, not only from the standpoint of orthodox practice but also that of Fellowship with the heterodox.
But who knows, Tim may well be right. The Synod in Convention recently resolved to merely “recommend” that Lutheran congregations retain the term “Lutheran” in their name – a recommendation roundly ignored by those the resolution was intended to address – begging the question, “How can a congregation which subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions be Lutheran in everything but name?” Subscription to the Confessions, along with many other things, is a declaration of identity! We must all be diligent to ensure that the next time the Synod in Convention has the opportunity to act, we are not forced to subsequently ask the question, “How can a congregation which subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions be Lutheran in everything but name and practice?” For all the work that has resulted in the COP's official recognition of this issue, the real work lies ahead.
Freddy Finkelstein
January 23, 2009 5:41 PM
Freddy Finkelstein said...:
And I forgot, in my previous post, at least three other issues related the mess created by CG Church Changers and so-called “non-traditional” worship: (1) the tension created by a call to Divine Worship, that can only be directed to believers, while at the same time consulting unbelievers and accommodating their demands with respect to the ordering of the Divine Service (i.e., church practice) as if they are included in such a call; (2) the nature and extent of Public Ministry and the role of supposed lay “Worship Ministers;" and, (3), directly related to this is the true role of women in congregational ministry, especially those who are positioned in the worship chamber during the Divine Service, either singly or together with an ensemble, specifically to draw attention to themselves, that as objects of attention they may more effectively make use of the Keys in ministering to the congregation in word and song. Are such worshipers Public Ministers? Then why are women involved in preaching to the congregation in word and song? Are such ensembles merely co-worshipers? Then why are they positioned and functioning to address the congregation at all? (If one reads Kretzmann's Christian Art one will readily see the position of Lutherans at his time and before -- the notion of Lutheran "Worship Ministers" is directly rejected).
There are probably many other issues, but these at least are sufficient to recognize the complexities involved.
Freddy Finkelstein
January 23, 2009 7:46 PM
Anonymous said...:
Will WELS deal with the C&C issues? While it generally skirts issues, how far will it let the camel's nose of the C&Cers go under the tent flap before tearing down the tent?
January 24, 2009 8:16 AM
Anonymous said...:
The coffee church in Waunakee already has a woman pastor who "administers the Means of Grace."
Bespoke
January 24, 2009 9:15 AM
Anonymous said...:
"The coffee church in Waunakee already has a woman pastor who 'administers the Means of Grace.'"
So? The WELS has long admitted women to the Office of the Holy Ministry.
January 24, 2009 10:50 AM
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As Staff Minister of Worship, Kristen is responsible for planning and implementing all worship opportunities at St. Andrew. She also oversees the large corps of worship volunteers who serve in many and varied capacities each week. Music is the largest part of the worship ministry at St. Andrew, but the worship ministry also includes lay readers, dramatic and visual arts, hospitality ministries and audio/visual tech support. Kristen works closely with Pastor Hunter to study and understand biblical worship principles and practices, evaluate current worship practices at St. Andrew, and define future directions for St. Andrew’s worship ministry.
Kristen graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2003 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Communication and Theology. While at WLC she worked for two years in the Campus Ministry Office planning and implementing daily chapel services, organizing various musical groups for worship, and learning from Campus Pastor Nathan Strobel. She is currently pursuing Staff Ministry certification from Martin Luther College.
Kristen grew up in the Pacific Northwest and always intended to return there after college, but God had other plans for her. He has planted her firmly in the family of faith at St. Andrew and for this she is truly and deeply grateful. When she’s not writing services or running rehearsals, Kristen spends her time reading science fiction and classic literature, playing piano, writing music, taking long walks in good weather, staying connected with friends and family, and generally enjoying life.
“The best part of my job is knowing that my work directly impacts the spiritual lives of those who worship here and enables them to connect with God. I say this with a full and complete understanding (and appreciation!) of the fact that the actual work is done by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace – but it is a great privilege and a great joy to be an instrument in ‘administering God’s grace’ in the form of worship gatherings. The second most rewarding aspect of my work is assisting all sorts of members of the congregation in bringing their gifts to God and to each other as joyful offerings. How exciting it is to see brothers and sisters in Christ – of all ages! – learning and working together to serve God and His people. The interpersonal connections made and the spiritual lessons learned through this ministry are invaluable blessings from our gracious God.”
The Minister of Worship can be contacted online.
