tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024052508755907865.post2387497023450820619..comments2023-04-10T12:01:00.266-04:00Comments on Lutherama: To Worship Or Not To Worship That Is The QuestionDr. Luther in the 21st Centuryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721847446086170082noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024052508755907865.post-88208767949951496472007-04-30T10:37:00.000-04:002007-04-30T10:37:00.000-04:00It is a considerable challenge to properly mix mil...It is a considerable challenge to properly mix milk and meat in a service. However, it is not a challenge we should shirk. I have to admit, though, it is easier to write a milk sermon than to write a meaty sermon and still keep it interesting for the average person. I can't consider myself an average person considering I have read Martin Chemnitz for fun, but then I have always been a little strange.<BR/><BR/>Even though I think we should reform and embrace the modern styles of music, I think it is also time that we stop being so afraid to be who we are. Given the recent successes of the Orthodox Churches we do not need to look like Willow Creek to reach the lost. We just need to actually reach out with the Gospel. Wan't it Billy Graham who described the LCMS as the sleeping giant who if they ever reached out with their doctrines would be a force to reckon with?Dr. Luther in the 21st Centuryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07721847446086170082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024052508755907865.post-8335611887818609092007-04-25T19:48:00.000-04:002007-04-25T19:48:00.000-04:00you wrote:My second thought is that we are of the ...you wrote:<BR/><BR/><I>My second thought is that we are of the mindset that a worship service is not meant for witnessing. This thought baffles me completely because a worship service centered around the Word of God is going to witness to people. As God's word is presented in the context of the service one can not help but be convicted by the Law and healed by the Gospel, because they will be given clearly</I><BR/><BR/>I am glad you continued this! I agree completely with this statement. My previous objection is based on the fact that many of our mission programs are rooted in the idea that it is all about growth and outreach, rather than feeding God's flock. I've also seen many church growth congregations turn their focus onto "how do we structure the service so that we can draw people in." In these congregations, the sermon and the music are particularly designed to appeal to the person with very little knowledge of the gospel, and of course, the Table is opened up to all, too, lest we offend. So the flock that is there is never fed anything other than "milk." My inlaws' congregation is this way.<BR/><BR/>When I was saying "the worship service is for the believer," I particularly meant that the worship service should be designed to feed the flock. In doing so, the Law and the Gospel should be clearly presented, and that would also witness to those who are there who are unchurched. I am not for closing anyone off from worship who needs to hear the gospel! (that would be terrible!) I'm just against making them the focus at the expense of the believers.RPWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16686240798146992394noreply@blogger.com