Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Lutheran Worship, Evangelical Worship, and the Evangelical Lutheran Pastor

Abstract

Pastor Meier compares worship in the Evangelical camp and the Lutheran camp, “One side, the “contemporary” camp—largely made up of Evangelicals—promotes worship that fits with the popular venues of the day, endorses keeping worship simple, and turns its back on the “stodginess” of past centuries of service and song. The other side, the “traditionalists”—particularly the confessional Lutherans—desires to stay the course and shuns the thought of “dumbing down” worship at the expense of watering down the Gospel. Who will prevail? Which is the right way? Is there only one right way to worship? Can there be a present-day Palestrina to bridge the gap?” Pastor Meier skillfully answers these questions in his essay.