The Beauty of Liturgy

 One of the things I discovered in college and seminary is the beauty of liturgy in Christian worship services. If like me, you count yourself among the Baptist family of faith, you may say, we don't have liturgy. That's the stuff those high church people like Episcopalians and Methodists do. Liturgy in one sense means the work of God's people in worship. In this sense, all churches, even free church traditions like Baptists and non-denominational churches have a set liturgy, even if they don't always recognize this fact. Having an order, an expectation of what comes next in worship is helpful for God's people to tune their hearts to sing His praise. Two days ago, Christians observed Ash Wednesday. In our congregation, we held a simple service with singing, prayers, scripture reading, and the imposition of ashes as a way to prepare our hearts for the season of Lent. There is something refreshing for the people of God, when worship is simple yet intentional to direct our hearts to the Lord and to musicians, people, or preachers. Whatever your church's liturgy, may you find space in the next few weeks to be attentive to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, calling you to repentance and renewal through the atoning death of Jesus. 

Ancient-Future

A great post over at Internet Monk about Ancient-Future stream of the post-evangelical world. The more I search, read, think, and reflect the more I am drawn to the thoughts behind Ancient-Future rhetoric. A dear friend told me last night that if he wasn't Baptist, he would be Anglican...a sentiment that I have heard time and time again from others, myself included. Perhaps the biggest need in the church is for a renewed passion for what is good from the history of the faith (Hebrews 12:1-2) as we live out our faithfulness in our own traditions.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/dont-misunderstand-the-ancient-future-path

For more on Ancient-Future Faith check out: http://www.ancientfutureworship.com/index.html