A Liturgical and Outreach Oriented Church? Yes!
Floating across the Lutheran blogosphere the last few weeks have been several professional YouTube videos focusing on Grace Lutheran Church in Tulsa, OK -- what appears to be a vibrant confessional Lutheran church. I’d encourage you to spend a few minutes watching and learning.
One thing I found very striking in the videos was how people from non-Lutheran backgrounds were drawn to a traditional and liturgical church and their understanding of Lutheran worship. Pastor Beecroft acknowledges that the church has its own language, is formed by it, and wrestles to understand it. We constantly hear that the church growth paradigm says this traditional approach should be a “turn off” for “seekers”. While the people interviewed expressed their initial culture shock, after a time of learning and understanding they had a deeper appreciation for the traditions and confessional Lutheran faith. These people seem to have a better grasp on Lutheran worship than many who have been Lutherans all their life. Catechesis at work!
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