Unleashing the Power of Worship

Lutheran liturgical scholar Thomas Schattauer proposes that “the liturgical assembly of God’s people in the midst of the world enacts and signifies the outward movement of God for the life of the world.” Drawing upon this understanding of liturgy as a locus of God’s mission, I propose several theses on leadership for such liturgy, considering not only liturgical celebrations but also the design and preparation of liturgy as well as the community’s reflection on their patterns and experiences of worship. Fostering missional liturgy in a congregation is an adaptive challenge that requires both attention to context and knowledge and appreciation of the riches of Christian tradition.