Higher Things

[BreadAlone]

I can say with all certainty that the young people I am familiar with prefer our liturgy. They say that "church should feel and sound like church and not like just listening to the radio."

That was stated to me verbatim by a 12 year old this weekend and all the other kids agreed.

I'm really glad for you guys then that all the kids at your churches LIKE what's going on.

I know that almost everyone I know at church and school (I'm talking kids) don't go to church "because of the liturgy" (probably not the real reason, but yeah..)

 

[DaRev]

Yeah..that's kind of what I meant..people that aren't Lutherans LIKE the way we do things..but a lot of Lutheran kids, at least in our neck of the woods, don't..

Well, I doubt very highly that those in your "neck of the woods" constitute "the vast majority of Lutheran youth."

 

[DaRev]

I'm really glad for you guys then that all the kids at your churches LIKE what's going on.

I know that almost everyone I know at church and school (I'm talking kids) don't go to church "because of the liturgy" (probably not the real reason, but yeah..)

That sounds to me like a lack of proper catechesis.

 

[BreadAlone]

Well, I doubt very highly that those in your "neck of the woods" constitute "the vast majority of Lutheran youth."

You're right, probably not.. I just have yet to meet the kid to tell me "I love the liturgical worship service more than anything!"

That sounds to me like a lack of proper catechesis.

Most likely..or maybe just a lack of caring..

 

[porterross]

I'm really glad for you guys then that all the kids at your churches LIKE what's going on.

I know that almost everyone I know at church and school (I'm talking kids) don't go to church "because of the liturgy" (probably not the real reason, but yeah..)

I'll admit that I would have rather stayed home and listened to my stereo on Sunday morning, but as time passed, I came to appreciate the comfort that comes with a familiar, formal and reverent manner of worship.

As you age, you'll understand this a bit more. BTW, my daughter and I love contemporary Christian music, just not in church. I don't think bouncing off the walls of the sanctuary would be a good idea.

 

[BreadAlone]

I'll admit that I would have rather stayed home and listened to my stereo on Sunday morning, but as time passed, I came to appreciate the comfort that comes with a familiar, formal and reverent manner of worship.

As you age, you'll understand this a bit more. BTW, my daughter and I love contemporary Christian music, just not in church. I don't think bouncing off the walls of the sanctuary would be a good idea.

lol..what's a broken stained glass window here or there??

 

[QuiltAngel]

Looking at your profile and seeing where your "neck of the woods" is, I think I can say that you aren't finding kids who appreciate the liturgy because you don't hang around any who do. I have attended services in the greater area there and have seen lots of kids choosing to attend a liturgical service. Just my opinion though.

 

[DaRev]

I don't think bouncing off the walls of the sanctuary would be a good idea.

Holy mosh pit, Batman!!

 

[PreachersWife2004]

The kids involved in our youth group and in our conference in general don't like the contemporary service. At my home church, when the whole church was surveyed, three responses came back that people would like to see more contemporary worship. Three, out of 1,569 surveys returned.

Make of those stats what you will, but I believe it shows that people in general, and not just our own youth, prefer the traditional style liturgy.

For me, I LOVE saying the same words every week. Those words are words of comfort to my soul, and I'd give everything I had to be able to hear and say them every week.

 

[ctay]

There is a church I've visited that has a contempory service and the rest of the services are traditional. I checked out the contempory services and most of the people that go to it are middle aged.

 

[WildStrawberry]

I've discussed this topic with my Sunday School kids. I'd say that most of them thought that our church was "pretty cool" and only a few of them said they'd want contemporary music.

In fact, even those that wanted the contemporary music said that they really like the hymns "and stuff" but they'd be "cooler with guitars and drums and stuff like that"

When we talked about the liturgy, most said they were bored with it until they realized that the liturgy is "sort of the way Lutherans do scripture." *G* Many of them said that they liked being able to memorize the liturgies and not read them because "it's more meaningful" one gal told me. Another said "I don't have to worry about being in the right spot or turning the pages or stuff. I just KNOW it...you know?"

I have to admit that *I* used to get bored with the liturgy. But then my eyes were opened to how beautiful it really is and how comforting to be able to lay in bed at night when I can't sleep, or when I was starting a panic attack, and be able to recite the liturgy.

Of course, I have some hold outs in my class for the contemporary worship "'cause it's like the other kids have!" But we're working on talking about the WHYS of what we do. These kids are enjoying the classes. Or so they've told me.

Kae

 

[filosofer]

[FONT= "Book Antiqua"]
Another crucial aspect is continuity between generations. An 80 year and a 5 year old can share the heritage in worship, even though in the eyes of the world there is little in common.

In Christ's love,
filo
[/font]

 

[RadMan]

The kids involved in our youth group and in our conference in general don't like the contemporary service. At my home church, when the whole church was surveyed, three responses came back that people would like to see more contemporary worship. Three, out of 1,569 surveys returned.

Make of those stats what you will, but I believe it shows that people in general, and not just our own youth, prefer the traditional style liturgy.

For me, I LOVE saying the same words every week. Those words are words of comfort to my soul, and I'd give everything I had to be able to hear and say them every week.

Well I'm a hybrid. I like liturgical content but not in the traditional format. I know the need for the absolution, creeds, forgiveness of sins, communion ext. but I like it done in different ways. For instance I get more out of speaking the Te Deum than singing it only because I can concentrate on the words rather than where I'm at or flipping pages to keep up. Or taking the TeDeum and singing it to different music. Most of the chanting I don't care for at all and I think it should be spoken.

I'm also for the minister coming down to the congregation and having his sermon. It's more personal to me and I pay more attention. I'm not big on frocked pontificators who put distance between them and the congregation. Some pastors are so impersonal.


My whole concern is I can't really get into praising God with the formal liturgy. Some hymns yea but most, No. I don't feel God appreciates my praise when I do it half hearted. So.................I like some contemporary praise music because I feel very close to God and for some reason I think God appreciates it more because I mean it.

 

[BreadAlone]

Looking at your profile and seeing where your "neck of the woods" is, I think I can say that you aren't finding kids who appreciate the liturgy because you don't hang around any who do. I have attended services in the greater area there and have seen lots of kids choosing to attend a liturgical service. Just my opinion though.

If I can't find these people at my WELS high school, where do you propose I look? MPS? (lol)

But seriously, I'm delighted to find out how many people in the Lutheran Church actually get something out of the liturgical services in such a meaningful way. It's inspiring when compared to all the negativity toward the services that I've been surrounded with..

I guess this is just another reason to add to my checklist of reasons to move out of Milwaukee..

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I know a lot of people who feel the same way about the Te Deum. Of course, the first time I heard the Te Deum was in a school chapel service doing Morning Praise and several parents wondered whether the school was going in a contemporary direction because the church normally doesn't do morning praise for a regular service.

My husband's church does morning matins every fourth Sunday. Matt adds in a confession and absolution in the bulletin so the service isn't lacking that part.

The Te Deum in morning praise is very difficult to sing. I sometimes have a hard time with it, and I can read music and sing quite well.

Some of the hymns in the Christian Worship hymnal have a more contemporary sound to them, but the message isn't contemporary - it's not the me me me stuff.

I think one big problem is that many people define contemporary worship differently.

 

[BreadAlone]

I think one big problem is that many people define contemporary worship differently.

Yeah that's a big problem. I think updating the words we use and the songs we sing could be a really positive thing for a majority of people..but we have to do it RIGHT..

 

[walloffire]

I love the traditional style... its more solemn

Zep 3:18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
Zep 3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
Zep 3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.