While it is certainly true that "it is not necessary to the unity of
the church that rites and ceremonies be the same," the Confessions also
strongly encourage the uniformity and consistency of worship practices
(i.e.--liturgy), something from which our present-day LCMS has moved far away.
It is a sad situation indeed that when travelling we cannot enter any LCMS
church along the way with confidence that the divine worship service will be
familiar. I have personally found that the "variety of worship" that
many claim is beneficial for capturing and holding the attention of
worshippers is, in reality, distracting and even frustrating. Having to
struggle with the unfamiliar often impedes the ability to receive the
intended/desired divine nurture that sacramental worship with consistent
"same old, same old" liturgy intends. (Besides all that, the
historic liturgy has generous variety in its many changeable parts--hymns,
prayers, Bible readings, introit, gradual, and sermon.)
Even LW with its major liturgy revisions and hymn changes that are
sometimes significant, sometimes subtle (texts and tunes) is a source of
anxiety to many who grew up with TLH. What was touted as an attempt to
simplify the hymns in an effort to make them more singable or user friendly
actually, in my opinion, "dumbed them down" often to the sacrifice
of texts that unashamedly echoed Scriptural teachings as well as the majestic
chorale settings that provided/encouraged singing that lifts worshippers
outside of themselves and directs their attention to the heavenly glory of
Almighty God.
I also take issue with the apparent ploy to foist LW on LCMS congregations,
many of which are still TLH-dedicated. CPH-produced materials often reference
LW alone and the seminaries give major, if not exclusive, attention to
training in LW. That is a definite disservice to the congregations that still
use and desire to continue using TLH as well as the training of future pastors
who may be called to serve such congregations.
I am often amazed (even gratified) by worship visitors from LCMS
congregations in other parts of the country who, when departing our worship
service, comment with joyful appreciation about how wonderful it was to
worship with TLH again, further explaining that their home congregation
abandoned TLH for LW or, worse yet, "contemporary or creative
liturgies" that change every Sunday. It seems that at least in some
situations TLH was abandoned without regard for the desire and sanctified
pleasure of a majority of the people, perhaps by a pastor and/or small
interest group who imposed their desire on the congregation. On the other
hand, a public poll/vote regarding such issues may be akin to allowing one's
children to determine meal menus--they will often make choices based on taste
and appearance (self-gratification) that, although the selected items
certainly contain some nutritional value, they fall far short of the
solidly-nutritional items that produce strong healthy bodies.
Even though we have heard it before, we need to be continually reminded
that the purpose of the divine worship service and its liturgical format is
NOT to entertain or tickle the fancy of itching ears. We seem to forget or
simply choose to ignore that a major function of liturgy/worship is to
instruct--and instruction is most effectively accomplished through repetition,
both by the present participants as well as from generation to generation as
the glorious Gospel message of God's free gift of salvation by grace through
faith in Jesus Christ is repetitiously passed on!
Finally, the divine worship service that follows the historic liturgy
(i.e.--TLH pages 5, 15, 32, and 41) also provides a sanctuary from the world
in which we daily sojourn--an opportunity for that brief amount of time to
escape the mundane trappings (including musical instruments, styles, and tunes
that are commonly identified with secular songs) and be spiritually refreshed,
renewed, revitalized--equipped to go back into that setting where we live
"in the world but not of the world" spiritually strengthened for
sanctified service. Let's energetically strive to retain our historic liturgy
and thereby attempt to insure against all distractions that the divine worship
service focuses our attention on Jesus Christ--the God-man Who lived,
suffered, died, and arose from the dead for our forgiveness, salvation, and
eternal life.
Rev. Thomas Handrick
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Wichita Falls, Texas