A blog of the Evangelical Lutheran Liturgy
Ordinations and Installations are joyful and yet formal events for churches and pastors. Vows are taken and repeated. Scripture is read. There is a formal blessing by the District President. And the draw of tradition is so great that even in some of the most casual and hipster LCMS congregations, the red stole often persists, even if used only for this occasion…
Read MoreJoin others confessional Lutheran singles at Advent Lutheran Church for a weekend of fellowship, worship, and connection with fellow Lutheran singles. This weekend-long event is open to any LCMS single adult ages 21-40. Follow the link to register and for a schedule of events for the weekend.
Read MoreBut on this occasion, this large-church pastor said the quiet part out loud:
Read MoreI guess the large churches are large churches because they're they're doing something right. I mean, I don't know how to say that in the context of, I mean, God is blessing what we're doing.
Note: This sermon was preached by a pastor of a “Contemporary Worship” LCMS congregation. I’ve redacted anything that would identify the pastor or the congregation. I have only made slight edits regarding punctuation and repeated words (this is a transcript pulled from YouTube). Any such errors are mine. This is the entire sermon.
Read MoreKeynote Two: This Is My Body
Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt
The Bugenhagen Conference, 7-28-26 at St. John’s Lutheran Church Racine, Wisconsin
We who conduct traditional liturgical services have certain advantages. In many ways, our task is far easier than those who choose a different path.
Read MoreThe first characteristic of the faithful teacher and church servant is a bold and joyous courage in the midst of persecution. This was indicated by the first living creature, who was like a lion. Now, we move on to the second characteristic of the faithful teacher and church servant. He is like a calf or an ox.
Read MoreThe tagline of Gottesdienst, namely, “The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy,” can be a little misleading. For when we say “liturgy,” some people believe that the entire journal (and by extension, the blog, the podcast, and the conferences) is, or should only be, related to things like rubrics.
Read More“No one is saying that the Lutheran liturgy is not a treasure. Just don't make consciences burdened to think that salvation is notsecure unless every rite of the liturgy is done just right…. Also, don't make the liturgy legalistically narrow, making it into a type of work to make satisfaction for sins.
Read MoreAnyone can take the King of Kings spiritual gifts assessment that is offered here: www.kingofkings.org/serve. It’s a series of 78 questions. They will then e-mail you your assessment, and even see if you’re interested in various kinds of church work based on your gifts.
Read MoreTwo questions were of particular interest. One involved “speaking in tongues,” and the other involved women “preachers.” Here is the transcript of those questions.
Read MoreI’ve now seen several “modern worship” (meaning, “non-liturgical”) LCMS congregations offering a unique opportunity to remember one’s baptism: joining in with the immersion baptisms in a baptism-like ceremony.
Read MoreThe church today must know what Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is and recognize that the old Christianity-versus-atheism binary is no longer sufficient or applicable for understanding the religious landscape in America.
Read MoreUnite Leadership Collective is an organization that seeks change within the LCMS. They are open about it. Through their communications - mainly their podcasts Lead Time and The Tim Ahlman Podcast - they have identified several areas where they believe the LCMS should - if not must - change.
Read MoreI would say that this post begins another (very) occasional series, but I would hate to raise the hopes of those readers who are eagerly awaiting the second installment of my last (very) occasional series. I will merely note that this may or may not become a (very) occasional series, but there is certainly enough material available for that to happen. Alternate titles could be “Bees in my [Metaphorical’ Bonnet” or “What Really Grinds My Gears.” I proffer these additional suggested titles to soothe the intellectual turmoil of those who may dislike my use of the term “urban legend” in this way, which I mean here to be “an often-repeated story or phrase that has no basis in historical reality, but whose constant repetition has given it a sense of authority in spite of its falsity.”
Read MoreWe, like the lawyer, tend to consider the dying man to be our neighbor. Indeed, Jesus does say to the lawyer, “Go and do likewise.” But technically, and literally, it is the Good Samaritan is my neighbor, and that makes me the dying man.
Read MoreThis was published April 9, 2014. Interestingly, this "Impact Church” is dead. The link is dead. The local franchise is dead. — Ed.
This postcard just arrived from Impact Church. On the back it says:
"At Impact Church, we don't want to add religious duty to your 'list' of stuff that occupies your time. In fact, we dislike religion as much as you do."
Read MoreGood pastors needed who are willing to make sacrifices for the next generation. Do we have any?
Read More
