Why Lutherans Need to Know What They Are Doing: The Importance of Educating Congregations in The Dynamic of Lutheran Worship

Abstract

If someone were to walk into a church and see many ceremonies being carried out, a question might enter their minds. That question would be: “why are they doing these things; and why this way?” The answer to that question will do a great deal to shape their perspective of those ceremonies and practices. This thesis seeks to explore the reason why it is important to educate Lutheran congregations on the reasons for, history of, meanings of, and dynamics of Lutheran rites, ceremonies, customs, and practices. The term rites will refer to significant texts and orders of service. Ceremonies refer to actions of worship. Customs refer to traditions created to emphasize truths. Practices refer to doctrine implemented. Finally, the term dynamic means the essence of what is happening in a rite, ceremony, custom, or practice. This thesis begins by explaining what these are, what they mean and what their dynamic is. The second part explains the reason why those ceremonies, rites, and customs should be explained to congregations. Part three suggests some possible methods of doing so. This thesis will explain that educating a congregation in these matters will increase how much they are edified by them and how much they value them.