# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S149 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 150 DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES Likewise, worship at Christ Lutheran congregation will not be an entertainment event for the audience or a popularity contest for the pastor(s). While worship should always be edifying, engaging, and attractive, the focus must always be on that which is above and beyond the temporal and mundane. (Col. 3:]-4) ‘ Thesis 2 We confess that worship flows from the Gospel. At the heart and center of all worship is Jesus Christ and His atoning sacri- fice for sin. In worship, the living and saving Lord comes to give us life. We deny that worship is based on the Law, namely, that our feelings or gifts supplement the work of Christ. (Luke 24:25-35) What does this mean at Christ Lutheran? Our orders of service (liturgy) as well as our preaching must in- clude God’s Word of Law and Gospel. Most prominent will be the saving Gospel which offers the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. When we gather for worship, our focus will be on God and not on ourselves. We will avoid going through the motions of the liturgy as if by such a work we merit God’s favor. As we strive to engage the hearts and minds of the worshippers, we will try to avoid worship becoming mindless recitation (Matt. 6:7), while valuing meaningful repetition of the Good News of God’s gracious activity. Thesis 3 We confess that in the liturgy, God’s Word and Sacraments are proclaimed and administered. Through these means, God dispenses forgiveness, life, and salvation. (John 4:2]-24; 1 Cor. 2:6-16) We deny that the liturgy is a mere form to produce the de- sired responses in worshippers. What does this mean at Christ Lutheran? We recognize the great gifts of the liturgy, which have been handed down to us over the centuries. This liturgical tradition in- cludes both the historic service of Word and Sacrament (the Divine Service) as well as the many prayer offices (such as Matins, Morn- ing Prayer, Vespers, Evening Prayer, and Compline) that can pro- vide a framework for our Sunday services and daily prayer. Our congregation will gain an understanding and appreciation of the va- riety of the Church’s worship life and practice as we explore and experience these services. We use the historic liturgies because they have proven to be a reliable way to ensure the centrality of the forgiveness of sins, rather than merely for historic or aesthetic reasons. Thesis 4 We confess that the purpose of music in the church is to bear the living voice of the Gospel. (Heb. 12:28-29) We deny that music is present for purely aesthetic reasons or for the satisfaction of personal tastes of worshippers or wor- ship leaders. What does this mean at Christ Lutheran? Appropriate music and art is based on the church year and is in agreement with Lutheran theology. We seek to incorporate all ele- ments of worship—including hymns, attendant music, and read- ings—into such a cohesive whole. Worship must be thoughtfully prepared and skillfully presented. Assistants must receive careful guidance and direction before serv- ing in congregational services. Although musical styles change, worthiness and craft, skill and suitability are qualities consistent with our desire to bring God our very best. . The use of the visual and performing arts, in particular the use of instruments (brass, winds, strings, etc.) are to be encouraged and cultivated. The pipe organ remains the best instrument for one person to lead congregational song, because it is a wind instrument which breathes like a singer and produces a variety of sounds. We stress that the choir’s primary function is the teaching and leading of the congregation’s singing of the liturgy and hymns. Because our worship is directed to God, the location of the choirs and instrumentalists should encourage congregational singing without attracting the primary focus to themselves. Thesis 5 We confess that worship is catholic (that is, universal). The gathering of God’s people around Word and Sacrament reaches across cultural and social barriers to transcend both time and space. We deny that worship is defined by the tastes and prefer- ences of an individual or group of worshippers. What does this mean at Christ Lutheran? Worship at Christ Lutheran congregation will be shaped by the historic liturgical rites of Christendom, signifying that people of various Christian confessions are included in the corporate prayer and praise of the church. All services of Sunday morning and other occasions at Christ Lutheran are public worship and will be conducted in accordance with the doctrine and practice of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Orientation will be provided to new members and seekers on the Scriptural principles of the LCMS regarding pulpit and altar fellowship for the sake of genuine Christian unity. The celestial dimensions of worship, which unite us with “an- gels and archangels and all the company of heaven,” should be clearly demonstrated through the selection, explanation, and use of appropriate liturgical texts. Responsibility for planning and evaluating worship rests with the pastor in consultation with the Board of Elders. All rites, cere- monies, and music used in worship at Christ Lutheran will be eval- uated according to the public teaching of the LCMS. Sermons or Bible messages in the sanctuary will normally be given by those called to preach in the church. Exceptions are made for male church work students who have been trained by the pastor or other appropriate faculty. Thesis 6 We confess that the environment of worship should be theo- logically sound, aesthetically pleasing, and spiritually edifying. We deny that art and architecture are neutral factors in a setting for worship. (/ Cor. 10:23-31) What does this mean at Christ Lutheran? The architectural setting and artistic elements utilized in our worship experiences and environment will conform to Lutheran theology and practices. The centrality of Word and Sacrament will always be evident in the worship settings of our congregation—the altar (or table of the Meal) and pulpit (or table of the Word) are equally prominent, with the baptismal font demonstrating its use as the site of our ini- tiation into the Christian congregation. Christ Triumphant will always be depicted as the incarnate Christ crucified in accordance with our Lutheran theology of the cross. The furnishings of the chancel (including the seating, para- ments, and vestments) will be used to enhance a sense of holy awe, reverent wonder, and spiritual adoration. Imagery drawn from the patterns, precedents, and motifs of Scripture (e.g., Exodus 25 and 31) will be crafted using the natural objects of God’s creation by His skilled people to celebrate His saving work in Christ our Lord. While tastes may vary, only the best will be incorporated into the worship life of this congregation—prepared by skilled artisans (members or professionals), supervised by the pastor and the Board of Elders. Soli Deo Gloria!