A question for those who attend liturgical churches

[dzheremi]

Mark, are you sure that the link you just posted leads to where you want it to? I don't see a book cover when I click it. I see a photo of a young man in glasses and a bow tie.

 

[PsaltiChrysostom]

As 1watchman implied... a lot of Churches, maybe even most, have a liturgical structure, even if it is not recognized as such, when they go through the same basic things each week. e.g. A prayer, singing, testimonies, a word, announcements, and a prayer to close or variations on the theme.

The thing to watch out for is... what happens if the Lord interrupts or... perhaps more importantly... can the Lord interrupt? Can the Holy Spirit step into the midst and blow away any preconcieved ideas of what should be happening or how things should be done to meet and touch people in a way that is going to change them into what God has for His Church? Periodically, in diverse places, this is what happens. Some might call it a revival.

Liturgy can, for some, become a really meaningful way to come to worship and God can often speak through elements within that service. The other side of the coin is that it can also be a way for people to opt out of meeting with the Lord and just feel ok about themselves. After all, they have gone to church, they've sat through the pomp and ceremony bit so now they must be considered righteous... or something like that. It sort of comes down to where people are in they're relationship with God, I expect.

In addition to what Mark said, the liturgy has its origins in Judaism. One thing that people seem to forget is that until the 1800s, literacy was rare. In Christ's era, maybe only 5% of people could read. Even in Jewish Palestine, people might be taught to read the Torah but even that would be limited. So liturgical worship (or work of the people, leitourgia ‘public service, worship of the gods) is how you teach the faith and worship all at once. Songs are repeated so that people can sing them at home. For example, the oldest extant hymn is O Gladsome Light, which dates back to the 2nd century. I sang this every evening in seminary for one year so it is ingrained in my mind.

O Light gladsome of the holy glory of the Immortal Father, the Heavenly, the Holy, the Blessed, O Jesus Christ, having come upon the setting of the sun, having seen the light of the evening, we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God. Worthy it is at all times to praise Thee in joyful voices, O Son of God, Giver of Life, for which the world glorifies Thee.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Liturgy tells the Christian story throughout the church's liturgical year. We hear prophesy, the good news, Christ's sacrifice, the joy of resurrection, the hope of salvation, the redemption of sins, and the way of The Way. Following the lectionary, we hear much of the Bible repeated in cycles. Having come to a liturgical faith practice late in life, I must say I greatly prefer it over what a Pastor thinks I should hear about. I think it also offers more breadth of focus than less structured worship styles which can become too narrow if not careful.

 

[Lukaris]

Do you ever get tired of saying the Lord's Prayer, one of the Creeds (Apostolic/Nicene), singing the Gloria (in some churches this occurs after reciting a creed), singing the Doxology (usually after the offering has been passed), "passing the peace", reciting a corporate confession of sin, and/or even taking Communion every week? To me, repeated use of these worship elements can get too ritualistic--overlooking the purpose for doing these things.

Realize this thread is from 2018 but it has been revived.

To answer the question: “Nope”.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Mark, are you sure that the link you just posted leads to where you want it to? I don't see a book cover when I click it. I see a photo of a young man in glasses and a bow tie.

Well, that was weird; here is the linke (I have fixed the post: Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service - Concordia Publishing House

 

[IoanC]

The evil one can distract you and make you feel tired, even blaspheme or get bored. Yet, on the other hand, the evil one is responsible for too much religion, formalism, etc. As always, when we are faced with extremes, we choose "The Royal Path/middle of the road" and God's Grace is with us.

 

[DragonFox91]

The church I attend w/ family has a liturgy like OP. But it does not seem overly liturgical, like just going thru the motions. There are elements that are more ‘free.’ I try to pour my whole heart into the ‘liturgical’ sections’ & try not to worry if the majority are just doing it ritually.

The church I attend w/ buddies is not ‘liturgical’ but it still has a set pattern. Where do you draw the line between ‘liturgical’ & ‘not liturgical’?

 

[tampasteve]

The church I attend w/ buddies is not ‘liturgical’ but it still has a set pattern. Where do you draw the line between ‘liturgical’ & ‘not liturgical’?

I honestly think that there are very few truly non-liturgical churches, in a broad sense. Certainly some of the Quaker churches are truly non-liturgical in all sense of the category.

In reality even non-liturgical churches have a set liturgy, even if they make it up. You know the one, upbeat song, upbeat song, solemn song, introduction by pastor or worship leader, upbeat song, sermon, upbeat song, dismissal. It's the same liturgy every week, the same rhythm.

That said, when we talk of "liturgical churches" we are usually talking about more Traditional churches with a liturgical tradition that may (but does not have to) also follow the common lectionary. The non-liturgical idea is almost exclusive to Protestant traditions. In general the Anglican communion, Lutheran traditions, Catholic Church (Eastern and Western), Orthodox (Eastern, Oriental), some Reformed, and other "high" churches are liturgical. However, there are also "low" church Anglicans and others that would still qualify.

 

[DragonFox91]

I honestly think that there are very few truly non-liturgical churches, in a broad sense. Certainly some of the Quaker churches are truly non-liturgical in all sense of the category.

In reality even non-liturgical churches have a set liturgy, even if they make it up. You know the one, upbeat song, upbeat song, solemn song, introduction by pastor or worship leader, upbeat song, sermon, upbeat song, dismissal. It's the same liturgy every week, the same rhythm.

That said, when we talk of "liturgical churches" we are usually talking about more Traditional churches with a liturgical tradition that may (but does not have to) also follow the common lectionary. The non-liturgical idea is almost exclusive to Protestant traditions. In general the Anglican communion, Lutheran traditions, Catholic Church (Eastern and Western), Orthodox (Eastern, Oriental), some Reformed, and other "high" churches are liturgical. However, there are also "low" church Anglicans and others that would still qualify.

Right, the "liturgical" kind I attend is non-liturgical according to Anglican / Lutheran / Catholic / Orthodox, but still meets the requirements OP laid out & considers itself liturgical, so thought it was worth sharing. It's so confusing.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

The church I attend w/ family has a liturgy like OP. But it does not seem overly liturgical, like just going thru the motions. There are elements that are more ‘free.’ I try to pour my whole heart into the ‘liturgical’ sections’ & try not to worry if the majority are just doing it ritually.

The church I attend w/ buddies is not ‘liturgical’ but it still has a set pattern. Where do you draw the line between ‘liturgical’ & ‘not liturgical’?

When I speak of liturgy/liturgical I do so with "Historic" liturgical practices: that is with a Celebrant leading and the congregation and or choir responding. May or may not have Deacons and or acolytes and wearing vestments, simple or ornate.

Liturgical:

Not Liturgical:

 

[RileyG]

Do you ever get tired of saying the Lord's Prayer, one of the Creeds (Apostolic/Nicene), singing the Gloria (in some churches this occurs after reciting a creed), singing the Doxology (usually after the offering has been passed), "passing the peace", reciting a corporate confession of sin, and/or even taking Communion every week? To me, repeated use of these worship elements can get too ritualistic--overlooking the purpose for doing these things.

No! Never! I LOVE the liturgy.

 

[RileyG]

The church I attend w/ family has a liturgy like OP. But it does not seem overly liturgical, like just going thru the motions. There are elements that are more ‘free.’ I try to pour my whole heart into the ‘liturgical’ sections’ & try not to worry if the majority are just doing it ritually.

The church I attend w/ buddies is not ‘liturgical’ but it still has a set pattern. Where do you draw the line between ‘liturgical’ & ‘not liturgical’?

Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Lutherans are liturgical. (include Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, Polish National Catholic Church etc)

Methodists, and Presbyterians are "middle ground"/semi-liturgical

Evangelicals, Baptists are totally non-liturgical.