Worship

Lutheran Worship: 2000 and Beyond Seven Theses on Lutheran Worship

Dr. A.L. Barry, President Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

The Main Purpose of Lutheran Worship Is to Receive God's Gifts

Our Lord speaks and we listen. His Word bestows what it says. Faith that is born from what is heard acknowledges the gifts, received with eager thankfulness and praise… Saying back to Him what he has said to us, we repeat what is most true and sure… The rhythm of our worship is from him to us, and then from us back to him. He gives his gifts, and together we receive and extol them. We build one another up as we speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Lutheran Worship Is Christ-Centered
Lutheran Worship Is a Reflection of Lutheran Theology
Lutheran Worship Is Characterized by Reverence and Dignity
Lutheran Worship Transcends Culture
Lutheran Worship Seeks to Edify Christ's Holy People
Uniformity in Worship Practices Is a Blessing

The complete essay is available in pdf format here.