May 14, 2010

CHICAGO – Renewing worship for relevance in today's world is a priority for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). To help make that happen, "partners in evangelical worship" are being identified in the 65 synods of the church.

"Partners in evangelical worship are part of a new network to assist synods and congregations in thinking about ways that we can be an evangelizing church centered in the means of grace," said the Rev. Robert G. Schaefer, executive for worship, ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop.

The partners are volunteer musicians, pastors and others who will help make connections between worship and mission, justice and service, said Schaefer.

The partners will relate to ELCA worships staff, said Schaefer, and "they will help form teams to assist synods and congregations to embrace the unifying patterns held up in The Use of the Means of Grace and laid out in Evangelical Lutheran Worship regarding gathering, word, meal and sending, while embracing the freedom and flexibility in serving local contexts."

Each of the ELCA's 65 synods have created local "mission strategy tables" headed by a director for evangelical mission. Schaefer said the work of partners in evangelical worship will connect with these mission tables. He said this opportunity serves as a way to learn from congregations and synods about the needs for worship and liturgical resources.

Partners in evangelical worship will gather June 21-24 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston. The gathering will serve as a training and experiential event for the partners.

Scott C. Weidler, ELCA associate director for worship and music, said a primary goal of the gathering is to make a connection between worship and mission, particularly how the mission of God is expressed through worship and "how we are sent into the world to engage in God's mission."

The gathering will also help to "bridge the gap that has sometimes existed between evangelism and worship," said Weidler.

Directors for evangelical mission will be present at the gathering and the Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, executive director for ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, will lead sessions about worship and mission.

The Rev. Sherman G. Hicks, executive director for ELCA Multicultural Ministries, will lead sessions about the role of multiculturalism in the life of the ELCA.

ELCA teaching theologians, building consultants and liturgical space consultants, staff of ELCA Worship and Liturgical Resources, ecumenical colleagues and others will participate in the gathering.

Discussion topics at the event include worship renewal, technology in worship, preaching, multicultural and culture-specific ministries, young adult partners and more.

"Partners in evangelical worship will serve as our eyes and ears to help us understand what's happening across the church, so that we can provide resources that will serve the needs of our congregations," said Weidler.

"Partners in evangelical worship serves as the next chapter in worship renewal," said Schaefer. "This is an organic, grassroots effort to build conversation about how the church both participates in God's mission and is nourished for that mission for the sake of the world through Word, Sacrament, liturgy and song."

Information about ELCA Worship and Liturgical Resources is at http://www.ELCA.org/Worship/, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service