Curious. . .

I received an email the other day from someone who reported to me how someone (name was not listed) suggested that those who like liturgical worship are, in fact, merely reflecting upon worship their own rather affluent lifestyles.  A curious statement to be sure.  Since American affluence is hardly reflected in anything formal or orderly but the chaos of anything goes -- from behavior to vulgarity to dress!  Americans are certainly not in great danger of a more formal or ceremonial anything.  Instead, it is the opposite affliction that is common to America -- a deliberate casual attitude toward nearly everything except desire (which must be honored and respected above all!).

The reality is actually quite the opposite.  Liturgical and ceremonial Lutheran worship has survived and even thrived where there was little affluence.  Think historically of the parish served by the Rev. Berthold von Schenk or look at where the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus began his ministry.  Far from being large or affluent, these parishes were small and had meager resources.  What was true in the past, is also very true of today.  Sure, there are those congregations which are blessed with an abundance of resources and people and who still endeavor to reflect the fullness of our evangelical and catholic tradition rather than its minimum, but the vast majority are on the small side and do not have any fat wallets.  Think here of parishes like Zion in Detroit or St. Pauls in Kewanee.  It would be nice if the more liturgical parishes of the LCMS could claim an abundance of both money and people but the reality is that these parishes typically are on the small side all the way around.

On the other hand, the most affluent parishes of the LCMS tend to be on the casual side of things -- from the style of worship to the typical wardrobe of those on either side of the rail (as if there was an actual altar rail).  Part of the reality here is that it costs the big bucks to pay for the technology rich style of worship that requires screens and big bands and one of those expensive cups of designer coffee.   If there is any congregation that reflects the American mood today, it is not the confessional or liturgical parish.  It might, on the other hand, be the evangelical style Lutheran who likes theater style seating, lighting, and entertainment as well as the option of watching it all on his personal screen while wearing sleep pants and munching on the breakfast Uber Eats just delivered.

Affluence has little to do with support for liturgical worship with confessional integrity.  In fact, despite what the critics say, liturgical worship with confessional integrity has always been rather out of step with culture and this is even more true today.  It is counter culture to kneel, cross yourself, chant, genuflect, use incense, or use a chalice.  If you want to stick out like a sore thumb in Lutheranism today, advocate for a more elaborate ceremonial within the historic parameters of our confession.  That is true not just for Lutherans, it is true for nearly ever Christian tradition.  Pope Francis has admitted as much in his dogged pursuit of the Latin Mass enthusiasts.  If Francis is afraid of a small group of zealots for a dead language, perhaps that tells you as much about the power of ceremony as it does the insecurities of a particular Pope.  It is no different within Lutheranism.  There are those who are confident that the undoing of Luther's legacy is threatened more by those who add in a ceremony or two or a few words to the ordinary liturgy of the hymnal than it is by those who long ago ditched the book, the liturgy, the lectionary, and the Sacrament for a swell pair of khakis and a nice polo in a warehouse outfitted with the latest techno toys.

Lets be real, folks!  Individualism, casual to the extreme, the priority of preference, and whatever makes us feel good is the encroaching fog that threatens to dim the Church's light before the world.  Anything that challenges these and turns the focus on the efficacy of a Word that does what it says and water, bread, and wine that are what they sign is the most radical thing of all.