A blog of the Evangelical Lutheran Liturgy
In a healthy marriage, your wife desires you to desire her. Surprisingly, that simple observation opens the door to a neglected biblical principle, an error common in twentieth-century Lutheranism, and even a lesson for digital marketing in the Christian parish.
Read MoreI had the joy to meet Pastor Cox, his wife Janelle, and their little one in the sanctuary. Pastor Cox conducted the liturgy with great reverence. It was a real blessing for them to carve out time for me to come and enjoy fellowship with them, and to partake of the Sacrament of the Altar together.
Read MoreI have to admit that the argument has great appeal. It sounds so logical. And upon first blush, it is a viable path to unity for our fractured synod's "walk together." So there is the temptation to entertain the thought of giving the masses Masses that are entertaining. After all, by means of Word and Sacrament, butts in the pews means souls in heaven. If I snap my fingers every five seconds and someone goes to hell, I do have to do something other than stop snapping my fingers and singing old hymns to save both butts here in time, and souls there in eternity. Hence, let's do the Divine Service to the music of the Beatles!
Read MoreBut what does it mean to be faithful? Listen to the end of verse 6: these creatures are “full of eyes in front and in back.” This picture of eyes tells us that preachers and church servants should diligently watch over themselves and the flock which they are commanded to lead.
Read MoreWe have uploaded all the meditations to this website, and they are available to read right now, right here.
Read MoreWith the 2026 LCMS Convention now one week in our rearview mirror, three delegates had the chance to sit down and look back at the convention week as a whole. The Rev. Joshua DeYoung and I had the opportunity to speak with the Revs. Jesse and Joe Schlie of The Didymus Podcast earlier this week and review the convention from the perspective of those who were in the room (the Rev. Jesse Schlie was also a delegate). We talk about some of the biggest issues that came in front of the convention, the discussions from the floor committee hearings that took place on Saturday morning before the convention began, and some observations from the convention floor that were missed by online viewers, but vital for understanding the week’s proceedings.
Read MoreA certain Gottesdienst editor (who answers to the name "Heath") suggested that I cross-post a recent Father Hollywood article regarding open communion and the Canadian Prime Minister.
Read MoreThis must-see On The Line interview with the Rev. Dr. Arthur Just articulates beautifully why we will not budge on the liturgy. It has nothing to do with style or taste. It has everything to do with Jesus and with the eternal and eschatological reality of what is happening in the Divine Service of Word and Sacrament.
Read MoreHaving just concluded the Synod convention, now is a good time to remind ourselves what synod is. We often hear “Synod isn’t church” and “Synod is only advisory.” Both of these statements are true. That said, these statements don’t imply what a lot of people infer.
Read MoreMy wife has become long-distance friends with a confessional Lutheran lady who belongs to an LCMS congregation. They had a text chat today that I found sad, but illustrative. My wife’s friend gave my wife permission to share this with me, and gave me permission to share this with you.
Read MoreWas Isaiah engaging in performative stagecraft when he prostrated himself in his vision of the throne-room of God (from where we get the part of the liturgy known as the Sanctus)? Was Jesus performing a show when He cured lepers, forgave sins, and preached the Gospel to the multitudes?
Read MoreFollowing Fr. Bussman’s lead in calling out congregations that are an oasis, I have to share my own experience in finding a delightfully liturgical and confessional congregation where one might least expect it.
Read MoreThis was published August 3, 2019. I just met Pastor Rippy this week at the ongoing CCLE Conference (which is outstanding, BTW, more to come! — Ed.
Here is a Gottesworthy article by Pastor Sean Rippy, “In Defense of Historical Worship - From a Former Advocate of Contemporary Worship.”
Well worth the read!
Read MoreDear Chairman Saunders and Members of Floor Committee #5:
I am writing to you with my own suggestions on Proposed Resolution 5-05, "To Address Open Communion and Pastoral Exceptions in Extraordinary Circumstances." I authored the Overture 5-17, submitted by St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church (UAC), Magnolia, Texas, titled "To Reaffirm, Enforce, and Restore Faithful Eucharistic Practice and Synodical Discipline concerning Unionism and Open Communion."
Read MoreLuther often mentions his desire for poets and musicians to write hymns and set liturgy in the common language of the people, along with the deductive conclusion that this longing was unfulfilled in his lifetime. Five centuries later, it is difficult to imagine a greater gift to Lutheran worship or a richer fulfillment of Luther’s desires than the treasures contained in Te Laudamus.
Read More“In accord with the Blessed Paul’s words to seek peace and pursue it, doing what you are able to live in peace (Rom 12:18)…
Read MoreFaith Lutheran Church in Dunedin, Florida is hosting a young adult conference entitled: “In the World, But Not of the World,” January 15-17, 2027. The target age range is 18-35. This conference is for both singles and married couples.
Read MoreThe chief expositor of the "Evangelical Style, Lutheran Substance" paradigm among our readers, the redoubtable Fr. Louderback, hatched quite the canard in the comments below.
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