Religion Commons^™

Sharing The Love, Feeding The Hungry, Paul F. Bradshaw

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

The biblical injunction to share one’s bread with the poor is for Christians intimately linked with the Eucharist and the Eucharist with the upbuilding of the Church. We will explore New Testament and other early Christian insights into these fundamental theological connections, and examine the consequences for eucharistic celebrations today.

To Be The Body Of Christ: Discipleship (Solidarity) And Eucharist, M. Shawn Copeland

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

In this presentation, I explore the relation between discipleship as solidarity and Eucharist. To this end, the Gospel of Luke sets the scriptural parameters, as the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus and their experience of recognizing Jesus at table in the breaking of bread is narrated only in this Gospel. Written in the final decades of the first century and addressed to a community of mixed social and economic standing, Luke’s narrative has come under critique for its tendency to convey double-messages and its ambiguity toward women and the poor. New Testament scholar Sharon Ringe has …

Faith Forming Faith, Faith Shaping Ministry, Paul E. Hoffman

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

Here are these three different gifts of our Lutheran theological and liturgical tradition that help us bear baptismal fruit that will last, once we’re out of the font:

Luther’s baptismal theology of a daily dying and rising.

The weekly rhythm of the assembly gathering around Word and Sacrament.

The wonder and mystery that is the liturgical year.

Each of these gifts in their own way urge and equip us to get beyond the waters of an individualized baptismal security tank and into the world to serve, the very place to which the tide of our baptismal waters is meant to …

Being The Body Of Christ, Jessicah Krey Duckworth

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

...catechumenal formation is not a dress rehearsal for discipleship, but is discipleship itself. Catechumenal formation is ministry – the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who need to hear it most.

The catechumenate facilitates newcomer participation in the central practices of discipleship alongside oldcomers.

Yet, that is not all. Where the catechumenate thrives is when leaders tend to the relationships between newcomers and oldcomers – where leaders tend to the ministry that occurs between newcomers and oldcomers.

From Font To Meal To Service And Unity, Maxwell E. Johnson

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

Is Eucharistic sharing, then, properly seen as the culmination or the inception of Christian initiation? This is a big question getting right to the heart of “how Baptism forms us.”

I want to get at this in two distinct but related ways; (1) the rank and dignity of baptism in Lutheran Liturgy; and (2) the relationship of Eucharist to Church.

How Baptism Doesn't Form Us: Why We Seek Other Ways To Grow The Church, Craig Alan Satterlee

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

What if we don’t want to entrust the Church to Jesus because Jesus might have some dying and rising in mind? Could it be that we desire to be formed in ways other than the ways the triune God active in baptism forms us? Is it possible that the Church born from the font is not the Church we want? And so, we seek other ways of forming and growing the Church so that we won’t ever die.

Baptism will form the Church in ways we don’t want to be formed. Allow me to share six ways: (1) giving up …

The 95 Theses As A Template For Lasting Liturgical Reform, Timothy J. Wengert

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

In this lecture, Timothy Wengert uses the 95 Theses as a lens to view what is essential to Lutheran liturgical reform. The lecture concludes: "So this lies at the heart of the early Luther’s liturgical theology: the Mass, the sermon and prayer, all tied to faith and baptism. As we continue to witness to God’s renewal of Christian liturgy in our midst, Luther provides us with some of the Christian church’s richest resources."

Reforming Liturgy In A Re-Forming Age, Edward Foley

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

No abstract provided.

Where Do We Go From Here?, Lorraine Brugh

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt)

Truth is, though, we need wise and discerning counsel in order learn how to be liturgists for our assemblies. Liturgists, whether worship leaders or planners, presiding or assisting, spoken or musical, all need a coherent sense of their assembly’s worship. I hope to demonstrate that such coherence emerges from both a broad interaction with the wider church, ecumenical partners and others, as well as a deep look into our own particular assembly’s cultural context. Deepening the specific and broadening our reach are challenging in and of themselves; keeping them in balance is always an ongoing project.

The Twentieth Century Reform Of The Liturgy: Outcomes And Prospects, John F. Baldovin S.J.

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt)

I want to situate my reflections on the outcomes of the 20^th century liturgical reform and our prospects for the future. This is how I propose to proceed. I will very briefly review the late twentieth century liturgical reforms and revisions of a number of churches. Then I will turn to reactions to the reforms of the past fifty years, some assessment of their success and failure, and finally prospects for the future, employing an analogy with curricular reform, specifically in theological education. In terms of assessment I will have to limit myself to the Roman Catholic experience …

The Work For The People Reforming At People's Church?, Timo-Matti Haapiainen

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

The aim of this presentation is to give a picture of the place of liturgy in the life of an old folk church and in its identity process. What is the role of the Christian liturgy in ELCF today? How could liturgy reform a folk church that is confronting all the challenges of 21^st century?

Touch Me And See: A Resurrection Of The Body In The Church?, Samuel Torvend

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

No abstract provided.

One Body, Washed, Frederick A. Niedner

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) So much that adults do and say makes little sense in the minds of children. I can’t imagine that I was the only small child of Christian parents who ever puzzled over the oddity of a day that came once a year, just before Easter. It was Monday Thursday, a day that was somehow two days of the week at once. Like the official lyrics of several hymns I’d memorized by hearing them sung repeatedly, the name of this peculiar Thursday got straightened out, at least partially, when I learned to read. Even though “Maundy” made no sense, it …

The Work Of The People As Public Work: The Social Significance Of The Liturgy, William T. Cavanaugh

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) "I was once asked to address the topic of the 'social meaning of the liturgy.' The first thing I told my audience was 'If I tell you what the social meaning of the liturgy is, you have to promise me you won‟t stop going to church.' What I mean is that there is a problem with trying to distill the liturgy down to a 'meaning.' It is a problem that sometimes bedevils efforts to connect the liturgy to ethics or social justice."

Healing, Faith, And Liturgy: A Theological Reflection Upon The Church's Ministry Of Healing In The Context Of Worship, Christoffer H. Grundmann

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) "Healing has been present within the Christian assembly from its very beginnings. Jesus healed and ordered his disciples to do likewise (Mt. 10:1; Lk. 9:10; 10:9) explicitly charging them not to take money for it: 'Proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment: give without payment' (Mt. 10:7-8 NRSV). The Gospel according to Mark records that, when the disciples were sent to 'proclaim the good news to the whole creation,' they were also promised that their laying their 'hands on …

Rituals Of Care: A Look At The Church's Ministry With The Sick, Lizette Larson-Miller

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) "I had an interesting experience last month writing an article on Christian healing for a journal of medicine. The parameters of the requested article were a bit vague, and as I prodded the editor with questions I realized just how much I was in un-chartered territory. The familiar concepts (or, more to the point) the familiar assumptions that are part of an insider conversation theologically and ecclesiologically were missing, and I found myself having to carefully spell out the focus of what I thought might be helpful to discuss in a journal read solely by health professionals. The experience …

"Go In Peace. But Go!", Robert Rimbo

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

Early in my episcopacy, I was having a dinner conversation with a number of bishops including then Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, George Anderson. It was a rough time for me, as it often is early in a first term. I had been struggling with a few congregations with a number of issues, principally that the ELCA was not their parents' church anymore. Anyway, while we were talking. Bishop Anderson summarized my feelings precisely: "Sometimes you just want to say, 'Go in peace. But go!"'

Jesus' Welcome Centers Our Ministry, Richard Fabian

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

Americans are 60% churchgoers today, just as in colonial times and in every century since. But our times are different. Today everything stands in question. In San Francisco and the western half of Washington State, 90% of residents tell census takers they have no religious identity whatever. Moreover, today America offers many faith options: Buddhism, New Age Spirituality, Islam, and countless fundamentalist cults. Our own mainline church services increasingly resemble fourth-century churches, filling up with people with no known faith commitment. That describes not only our visitors, but longtime church members as well.

Worship And The Ministry Of Reconciliation: Turning Walls Into Tables, Mark S. Hanson

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

Thank you for the invitation to be with you. One regret I have had, not the only one, is that I have never attended the Institute of Liturgical Studies. Each spring my colleague, William Beckstrand, the cantor at University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis, would begin to invite and encourage me to join him for his annual journey to the institute at Valparaiso University. As I worked with Bill I began to realize that this event was like a pool of refreshing water that beckoned him through the often taxing days of Lent, Holy Week, and Triduum-"I know I …

Have We Come An This Way For Birth Or Death?1 Liturgical Music As Prophetic Ministry, Kathleen Harmon

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

The prophet announces to the world what must die in order that the Kingdom of God be born. In its very doing liturgical music participates in this death-resurrection mystery which lies at the core of Christian identity and mission. How does liturgical music participate in the prophetic mission of the church? How can we in our ministry of music making be faithful to this mission?

On The Table-Servers: Ministry In The Assembly, Gordon W. Lathrop

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

For a moment, try saying it this way: Christianity is a meal-fellowship. I know there are other ways to speak of the Christian movement. But, for a bit, I invite you, try this one. At root, Christianity is not just an idea. It is a specific meeting around food and drink. It is first of all not a religious inclination that an individual might have, not a philosophy nor a technique to equip an individual to engage with spiritual realities. In any case, it is certainly not a consumer good that an individual might or might not choose to …

The Priesthood Of All Believers And Other Pious Myths, Timothy J. Wengert

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

"Alice laughed 'There's no use trying,' she said: 'one ca 'n 't believe impossible things.' 'I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. "

Mass And Mission: Enacting God's Mission In The Christian Assembly Today, Thomas H. Schattauer

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

I doubt that I need to underscore the ferment surrounding the matters that are the theme of this year's Institute: worship and mission. The practice of worship in our congregations has become fragmented by multiple and competing proposals for what should happen when we gather. As a teacher of worship, the questions and discussions I encounter day by day reveal a general distrust of conventional liturgical practice and a genuine hunger for something-anything-that will engage and enliven people at worship in our time and place. There is no simple and direct approach to matters of worship-this is what we …

Debt, Imperialism, Eunuchs, And Contemporary Christian Worship, John Bell

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

There are three ways to begin a lecture such as this. The first is to ask people to turn to each other and say why they came to this particular part of the program and what they expect to hear. This approach has the advantage of giving the speaker five to ten minutes less lecturing time. Much as I'm tempted, I think this tactic might leave you feeling shortchanged. The second approach is to say: "I don't quite understand the title I've been asked to address"and then waffle for twenty minutes on the semantics before ever dealing with the …

Let The Servant Church Arise: Waters For The Thirsty, Supper For The Hungry, Rhoda Schuler

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

The title of this address provides some clues about the perspective I bring to the question of the church's mission in the world Use of the term "servant church"-borrowed directly from the hymn ''The Church of Christ in Every Age"1-reveals my bias for language of servanthood to describe that mission. Such language has governed my own identity as a deaconess for nearly three decades. Aidan Kavanaugh argues that the ascetic, who is dedicated to ''the art of maintaining a life of 'right worship,'" serves as the exemplar for the baptized, pointing them toward the Christian's ultimate end: that is, …

From Meal To Mission, J-Glenn Murray

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

When it comes to introductions, I remember that when I was young and charming and about to go off to Saint Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia (where I was reared and raised), I was somewhat intimidated. I was so because I was about to take my place along with boys, many of whose fathers, uncles, cousins, and brothers had attended this school. For them the school was going to be familiar, for me most unfamiliar. Adding to my anxiety was the fact that I was also going to be one of 900 boys, only seven of whom were Black. I …

Media Art In Worship: The Potential For A New Liturgical Art, Its Pastoral And Theological Challenges, Eileen D. Crowley

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(Excerpt)

Greetings to you all, my colleagues in liturgy, my sisters and brothers in Christ! The black-and-white photography we encountered as part of our liturgy in the Chapel of the Resurrection yesterday and today represent art, meditation art that can stir our imaginations and refresh our souls. Professor Aimee Tomasek of Valparaiso University asked her students to create these for us based on their reading of yesterday's gospel and hymn of the day. Students' work is always refreshing. So, too, are all the water metaphors in which we have been steeped in our liturgies here during this institute.

Have We Come All This Way For Birth Or Death? Liturgical Music As Prophetic Ministry, Kathleen Harmon

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) "In this presentation I bring together two theological strands which stand at the heart of the mystery of Christ and of the Church: prophetic ministry and the paschal mystery. I weave these two areas of thought together to build a foundation for exploring liturgy as the central prophetic act of the Church. I then use this perspective as the lens through which to explore liturgical music as a prophetic ministry that challenges the Church to be faithful to that death-resurrection mystery into which she has been baptized."

The Priesthood Of All Believers And Other Pious Myths, Timothy Wengert

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) Now, to be sure, this was not the first time this had happened to me. I looked for the friendship between Luther and Melanchthon and discovered that they were colleagues not friends. Then, I found that the four “classical” marks of the church—one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—were the inventions of nineteenth-century Anglo-Catholics! I wanted to discuss Luther’s comments on the “orders of creation,” only to discover they were the construct of a nineteenth-century German Lutheran ethicist.

On The Table-Servers: Ministry In The Assembly, Gordon Lathrop

Institute of Liturgical Studies Occasional Papers

(excerpt) "Christianity came into existence at table. The earliest churches — that is, the earliest assemblies — seem to have continued the meal tradition of Jesus, the meal tradition with which the gospels are filled: 'Behold a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and of sinners,' went one description of Jesus (Luke 7:34). Christian communities struggled to understand and maintain Jesus’ remarkable open commensality — his astonishing, God-signifying, religiously offensive and politically dangerous eating and drinking with the hoi polloi, his critique of the dining-room practice of the closed circle, his re-working of mealmeaning."