Table of Contents- Teaching Liturgical "Culture" ______________________________Teaching Liturgical "Culture"By Dr. Diedra Kriewald, professor of teaching and formation There is a distinctly Christian ethos that can be defined as "cultural." This cultural ethos includes the distinguishing words, attitudes, symbols, habits and beliefs that mark Christian worship. This liturgical ethos has many variations in the style of worship, depending on the faith-family and the congregation in which it is expressed. There is, however, a stability in form and content across the ecumenical horizon. A clear convergence on the service of Holy Communion, for example, has emerged in many of the hymnals and prayer books of the last twenty years. William H. Willimon represents a group of scholars who have written about church "culture."
Willimon is certainly right to suggest that the vocabulary and concepts of Christian worship cannot be absorbed by new Christians simply though church attendance. The meaning of the sacraments is learned through both education and practice. The basic sign-actions of Baptism and the Eucharist are both simple and complex, which is why there is meaning here for all ages. Without liturgical education as a primary part of the formation of disciples, children and youth will become adults who never fully participate in or appreciate the deepest mysteries of Christian worship. The reality is that in many congregations there is no intentional effort to teach anyone, whatever their age, about the pattern of worship, or the meaning of the sacraments and other rites of the church. Many adults, who regularly attended church schools and youth groups when they were young, will testify that they were never taught the basic architecture and meaning of their liturgy. Mature Christians who have attended worship all their lives are still confused about the theology of the Eucharist. The fact that they may once have been taught about the structure of the liturgy, perhaps long ago in confirmation classes, is evidence that liturgical education must be repeated again and again, year after year. If the church wishes to deepen the spiritual life of the congregation, teaching the pattern of the Sunday service and the meaning of the sacraments might be considered as a high priority on the pastoral agenda. It would be helpful if regular teaching "in" and "about" the culture of the liturgy were to become habitual for ecclesial formation regardless of worship styles. Liturgical leaders should not be timid about teaching about the liturgy in the liturgy. Teaching the meaning of the pattern in the service itself does not suggest lesson plans and didactic sermons. The task of didache by the liturgical leaders is to give participants enough information about the ritual action, the lessons, the prayers, or the season on the Christian calendar that they can effectively participate in the liturgical life of the congregation.2 There is a presupposition, in current favor among some pastoral leaders, that the church attracts post-modern persons by devaluing traditional church culture. It is yet to be determined whether devaluing or even abandoning the culture of traditional worship in the name of that which is principally contemporary or emerging will energize the church or continue the decline of Christian literacy. Regardless, it would profit every worshiping assembly regularly and systematically to ask these questions:
If the answer to these questions is answered affirmatively, the assembly will be ready to undertake serious liturgical formation.
1 William H. Willimon, "This Culture is Over Rated," in Leadership, Winter 1997; reprinted in Circuit Rider, May/June 1998, p. 20-21. 2 In the New Testament the word didache is used to indicate the teaching of Jesus and the apostles; its use here signifies teaching the traditions of the Church.
______________________________Responding to the Lost Tomb of JesusRecently, you might have heard or read about the supposed finding of the lost tomb of Jesus. Wesley's Professor of New Testament, Dr. Craig Hill, recommends this website as a possible response to the claim of the tomb's relation to Jesus by film director James Cameron. Our academic dean, Dr. Bruce Birch recommends this website for an in-depth response to the upcoming documentary and film.
______________________________Unique Classes Offered During Summer TermRegistration is now open for Wesley's summer term, which features some rarely offered (and some new!) courses. These include: The Church and the Ecological Crisis; Biblical Storytelling; Contemporary and Emerging Worship; Mission of the Church on the College Campus; Suicide Prevention and Pastoral Ministry; Spirituality of Prayer; and Evangelism in the Contemporary Church and World. Wesley's summer term offers a great opportunity to earn CEUs, deepen your biblical understanding or advance your studies. Also, fall term registration has begun. Exciting fall offerings include: African Spirituality; Introduction to Deaf Ministry; Visual Technologies for the Church; Globalization, Mission and the Church; Ethics, War and Film; and a readings course on ending global poverty. Learn more about the summer term. Learn more about the courses offered in the fall term.
______________________________New Suicide Prevention Training Track LaunchesWesley is launching a new laity training track in the fall through which participants can earn a certificate in Suicide Awareness Ministry. Faith-based communities can play an essential role in suicide prevention. Suicides have reached 30,000 a year, with nearly one million suicide attempts in the U.S. In this new Equipping Lay Ministry track, we will train laity, clergy and non-professionals to create suicide prevention teams within each local congregation. Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from members of these groups as they probe biblical, historical, theological and ethical perspectives. They will also become better informed with their own community's stand on suicide. Among the program planners and instructors is Dr. James T. Clemons, author of What Does the Bible Say about Suicide? and editor of Sermons on Suicide. He is professor emeritus of New Testament at Wesley, where he taught for twenty-eight years. Learn more about the Equipping Lay Ministry program Contact us about this program at (202) 885-8720.
______________________________Upcoming EventsThis Isn't Your Grandfather's Church...Embracing Change in the 21st Century, a Community Builder Presentation - Wednesday, March 21
Celebrating the music of Charles Tindley - NEW DATE - Tuesday, March 27 Other upcoming chapel services: ~ Tuesday, March 20, 11 a.m.: Wesley's annual Oscar Romero Lecture given by Dr. Jose Irizarry, professor of cultural studies in religious education, McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. ~ Tuesday, April 10, 11 a.m.: An Easter Service of Word and Table led by Bishop Hoyt and Marcia McFee and featuring the Wesley Dancers.
Wesley Days - Tuesday, April 10
Retirement Celebration for Dr. Diedra Kriewald - Tuesday, April 17 Fresh from the Studio, an Exhibit of Works by Wesley's Artists-in-Residence - March 19 through May 11, 2007
______________________________Young Clergy SurveyThe Lewis Center for Church Leadership is surveying young United Methodist clergy 35 or younger. Topics include factors influencing decisions to enter ministry, perceptions of how age influences standing in the church, the nature of current appointments, financial well-being, and levels of satisfaction in ministry. This survey will inform a book being prepared for publication prior to the 2008 General Conference. Find out more about this survey.
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______________________________About WesleyWesley Theological Seminary is one of the largest and the most diverse seminaries in the world. Located physically in the nation's capital and theologically in the deep center of the Protestant church, we attract more than 1,500 individuals to our classes each year. We offer a range of programs and resources for clergy and church lay members. The majority of our students are enrolled in the Master of Divinity program in response to a call to ordained ministry. | |
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