I subsequently joined a less-than-traditional congregation of the LCMS. At the time, I wasn't concerned about its less-than-traditionalness, because compared to what I was raised in, it was excellent. But from that time to this, the congregation has become more like my old tradition, and I have grown more fond of conservative, confessional, and traditional Lutheranism. I don't like the trend toward contemporary worship, or the growing emphasis on the individual person (as opposed to the corporate chuch).
I have noticed since being in college that my congregation, despite its efforts to make itself relevant to people my age, is quite out of touch with young people. I hear all the time from unChurched people statements like "If I were to become religious, I think I would become Catholic, rather than protestant. It just seems more like church, and less like the world." I believe people say this because Roman Catholics have, by and large, maintained fairly liturgical forms for worship. I frequently want to say to a person like that, "Well, we Lutherans have worship which seems distinct from the world, too. And it is theologically sound." Unfortunately, given the direction many congregations are heading, that statement is no longer true all the time.
At a time when people like me are leaving neo-evangelicalism in droves to join confessional, traditional churches, my congregation, an heir to the very best American Christianity has to offer, decides to bring in contemporary musicians as guest worship leaders in an effort to attract many of those same people. Never mind the fact that in church music the word contemporary refers a style of music that was briefly popular in the early '70s.
To those of you in congregations committed to doctrinally sound, corporate, liturgical worship, I say: "Right on!" Even if baby-boomers who were raised in your circles are complaining about it, there is a large group of people among the 20-somethings who are realizing the benefits of historic Christian worship. And even if there weren't, we are obligated to maintain theologically sound worship at any cost.
-Jonathan "relinquishing my soapbox" Williams
"Nihil Novi Sub Soli"
Jonathan Williams
jonvw@earthling.net