Pr. Mason Beecroft has written a very important post reflecting on a question arising out of the LCMS “Model Theological Conference” on worship. Here is a sample:
So who decides [what is liturgically appropriate, reverent, sacramental]? The question itself reflects an unholy amnesia, a loss of identity. Certainly each pastor and each congregation should not be making those decisions. The liturgy is too important to be left in the hands of a pastor whose seminary training in liturgical and sacramental theology is shamefully lacking. It is too important to be decided upon by our congregations in some democratic form, especially when so few of them have been formed or catechized by the historic liturgies of the church. Certainly, the needs of the American consumer should not decide what is appropriate. Robinson states, “The result of trying to adapt the liturgy to meet the perceived needs of the world from the perspective of modernity weakens, not strengthens, the Church.” Amen.
It is an outstanding post. Please read it in its entirety here.
