Comments on: Grace Lutheran Church, Tulsa OK

By: Travis Greene

Travis Greene — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:22:29 +0000

It still works in a somewhat larger setting. Our church runs 40-80 depending on the time of year, and we seat in the round. But then, we’re big free-church sacramentalist emerging weirdos.

By: dumb ox

dumb ox — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:32:09 +0000

You’re probably right. In a larger congregation, such an intimate setting would be strained.

I scribbled out on a piece of paper what I thought such a church might look like. Sure enough, it has been done before:

http://www.bloordale.ca/about_our_church.htm

I have to do some research, but it seems that I saw some statistics which suggest that churches above 100 or so lose their intimacy, no matter what the format. I’m not why the push is always for bigger and bigger churches, rather than a network of smaller churches. I don’t agree with the current satellite/video church concept that is becoming so popular (anyone remember “Mosquito Coast” with Harison Ford?), but I think it is on the right track.

By: iMonk

iMonk — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:34:18 +0000

Nice dream, but not a possibility for me. There is an AMiA church plant in Corbin.

By: The Guy from Knoxville

The Guy from Knoxville — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:27:11 +0000

Michael,

Can I ask again, at the risk of your blasting me, is there not any possiblility of your starting such a church in your area? I know we’ve discussed this before and I’m aware of the Appy culture (know it well) and all that goes with that. Is it work that’s an issue…. both perhaps? At any rate, it might be something to seriously consider. OK, blast away….lol!

By: The Guy from Knoxville

The Guy from Knoxville — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:15:56 +0000

Folks, for what it’s worth, I really think (maybe, just maybe) we are seeing the beginnings of the turning out of the contemporary stuff that’s been happening. Did you notice how many of the folks in the vid were from “other” churches – particularly contemporary evan megas? This was a great vid and one can only hope this is the beginning of the end of this mess that contemporary worship has become in so many cases.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:49:27 +0000

(First post ever, please forgive me if this has been discussed before). One of my favorite and most formative experiences in the past few years – coming from my own evangelical background – has been to attend mass at St. Augustine’s House Lutheran monastery and retreat house in Oxford, Michigan. If I’m not mistaken, I believe they’re the only Lutheran monastery in North America. In any case, the prior, Fr. Richard Herbel, is of LCMS background, but other residents there have been of ELCA and even Episcopalian heritage. Being somewhat ecumenical in that respect, the Mass celebrated there – yes, they call it that – appears to be of Scandi origin, that is to say, Roman-style vestments, candles, the works – but with music coming from the LBW and a pipe organ. (The Hours, on the other hand, are done beautifully in Gregorian chant.)

With respect to orientation, at the Eucharist, the congregants (usually fewer than 20 on the weekends, fewer than 10 on any given weekday) gather *around* the altar, while the priest remains facing towards the east (back turned toward the nave). I get a real sense of “family” in their doing so, with the focus remaining centrally upon the Eucharist, and without the feeling that the priest is “divorced” from the congregation. I suspect this would not work quite as well if there were say, 100+ congregants, but nonetheless, it seems to work for them.

By: Lutheran Lucciola

Lutheran Lucciola — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:39:59 +0000

Very interesting discussion, as a Lutheran convert. Christian convert at that. I LOVE the liturgical thing, I purposely looked for that. No, the sermons aren’t boring, they are good.

The main problem with certain Lutheran congregations is the mono-ethnic thing. Don’t get me wrong, I am not in favor of the seeker sensitive thing, or the American Evangelical rock band worship-trendy-or it was trendy, now it’s actually stale…..thing.

But it’s the German/Scandi culture. They keep to themselves. Oh, the stories I could tell of my Italian American culture crashing head on with some people. (Wait, I do tell the stories)

Here’s the thing, people….just go. Show up. Especially Italians. No, seriously, I’m not joking…PLEASE SHOW UP.

By: luke

luke — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:49:07 +0000

First, I like Ad Orientem. I’ve celebrated Mass in that fashion a few times.

But, I haven’t been Catholic long enough to know any ‘abuses’ of liturgy. So, personally, I wouldn’t call anything in the common liturgy a ‘disaster’ … and I’d make some of my own observations about your reasons.

1. I look at the altar and/or close my eyes.
2. I can agree with that, but my parish doesn’t use traditional church architecture so it may not be as obvious to me.
3. Again, I look at the altar. But I think some of this has a lot to do with the personality of Priest himself – if he’s the kind who focuses the liturgy on himself, or on Christ? I’ve seen both types; luckily, my priest is of the latter type.
4. I’ve not really noticed this.

By: Giovanni

Giovanni — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:35:41 +0000

Martha too many things that should never have been lost were lost. Too many people doing what they wanted without regard for what they needed.

The reform of the reform is the recovery of that which is sacred.

By: luke

luke — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:25:13 +0000

I have found this to be true. At the Emerging church I attend with my wife, I get the sense that people are coming together for fellowship and preaching. At my Catholic parish, I get the sense that everyone is there for worship, and fellowship and preaching are a by-product.