The last few months I have been rereading an essay by Joseph Herl entitled “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Liturgies: Insights from the Sixteenth through the Eighteenth Century” which was included in the 2005 publication of “Thine the Amen: Essays on Lutheran Church Music In Honor of Carl Schalk.”
The section I keep returning to is the conclusion:
As I write these words, I have just returned from a Sunday church service. The congregational singing was strong and the choral and instrumental music was inspiring. As I left the church, I heard someone exclaim what a wonderful service it was. But there was something missing. There was no Communion, and I left unfulfilled. The liturgy, which was printed in the service folder, followed the same order as in the hymnal; but the words were changed just enough to be annoying, and I couldn’t say any of it without reading it. The sermon was quite good, but it was unrelated to any of the readings. The choir sang no Propers, and the choral music was unrelated to either the readings or the sermon. The liturgy, such as it was, was punctuated by constant verbal instructions. As a result, even now I cannot recall the theme of the service, if there was one. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that some people thought that the service was wonderful, for they may never have known anything better. But we know better. Let’s make it happen.
Herl offers an encouragement and gentle nudging to pastors and musicians to have a unified proclamation each week. This takes planning and often more than just the week before — perhaps weeks and months to give ample time for planning, practice, and preparation. Maybe it’s not the best metaphor, but each service should be like a dance that flows without needless cues (verbal instructions) and unexpected stumbles (rewriting the liturgy). As we step through the service we see the theme of the day and season reflected in the hymns, propers, choral and instrumental music, and sermon. It’s as though the service was meant to be this way – the Ordinary and Propers joined in a united proclamation.
If this topic is of interest to you, consider attending the 2008 Good Shepherd Institute – Lutheran Liturgy and Hymnody: Theology in Practice with Confidence and Grace. There will be sections for both pastors and church musicians. “This conference will focus on how to do the Lutheran liturgy and hymnody well, accenting practical ways in which pastors and church musicians may assist the people of God to embody the faith in their worship” (His Voice, Vol 3 No. 1).
We know better. Let’s make it happen.