worldmaking.net

The expression "worldmaking" as it pertains to worship was coined by a theologian named Sigmund Mowinckel. (alas, Trish vetoed naming our son after him.) In the 60's he wrote about that aspect of worship that forms our character as individuals, as communities, and establishes our identity as people of God. Decades later, Walter Brueggemann, among others, fleshed that idea out for a new generation. Since then, many theologians have commented on this notion that one of the most important works of worship is about spiritual formation, that when we do worship together, we may be changed. In fact, so monumental is this formation that it reflects Creation. And so we might name worship an endeavor of world-making.

How important it is that we make intentional choices about our liturgical language and ritual action of worship. We are enacting the realm of God in us and in the world!

If we believe this-- that worship actually affects us and shapes us-- then we had better be doing it well. In fact, we'd better be putting all our heart, spirit, mind, and strength into it.

So. How exactly do we design worship that brings about the Holy Realm of God? Pursuing that prospect pretty much sums up my passion.

DENOMINATION, DOCTRINE, AND CHOCOLATE

You may have checked in at this page to see where I'm coming from theologically. First of all, you should know I am not ordained into any particular tradition. As a consultant (read: freelance musician/liturgist), I have been blessed with a call that has me serve many denominations.

It's been said that all theology is truly autobiography. What follows are a few snapshots by way of introduction to my songcrafting process. As you get to know my particular way in the world, I invite you to consider how Your Way in the world is part of your call to serve.

I can tell you that I grew up in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod where the practice of high liturgy taught me prayers and Scripture before I could read. I cherish that because it is one way God's Word has been written on my heart.

I can tell you I have at one point in life named myself a fundamentalist, at another, agnostic. I value searching questions of faith at least as much as I do assurance. As a result, part of my ministry is inviting people of God into a 'long-haul journey' relationship with God that includes doubt, passion, and seasons that cycle.

In my adult life, I've been a member of several ELCA congregations. One touchstone of faith for me is Luther's Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles Creed. Augsburg Fortress Publishing has commissioned me to write about 20 songs over the years for their Witness Sunday School curriculum, VBS curriculum, and Firelight series.

Currently, my family is very much at home at Lyndale United Church of Christ congregation. I graduated from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities I appreciate and love the UCC's commitment to prophetic worship, creative liturgy, and bold risk-taking on social issues. Their still speaking campaign is sure to get them some attention.

Trish and I have served in leadership with the Lay Academy of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church for the last seven years. It has been a wonderful congregation/community to be set among.

All that is mostly to say that my work with wife Trish calls us to serve all kinds of traditions. Most often, we serve in the context of United Methodist, ELCA, UCC, Presbyterian, and occasionally interfaith, and coffeehouse communities.

One of my seminary teachers was Marty Haugen, and his influence has been important to me. I so appreciate his call to serve among many denominations. I don't know of any other 21st century composer whose congregational songs are so beloved across traditions. His way is not merely ecumenical, it is committed to the Word in such a way that his music rings true to Christ's Gospel before secondary theological commitments. I spotlight him here because his career has been a mentoring one for me.

Besides my experience with mainline Protestant denominations, I confess to you now in front of Sammy and everybody that I love Zen koans. I read poetry of Muslim Sufis like Rumi. I delight in the songs of apt singer-songwriters who don't sing expressly about the spiritual life. I have prayed with Jews and meditated with Buddhists. I support my friends who have been so hurt by the institutional church they are smart enough not to return. I've been accused of being New Agey because I appreciate the gift of Native American traditions and earth-based ritual.

All I can say is that my love of Christ and my call to ministry have both deepened as a result of being in honest dialogue with other religious traditions.

My greatest hope is that the music I offer is in some way nurturing the Church that will be thriving fifty years from now. I also hope it is in some way prophetic to the Church, inviting our congregations to stretch into the depth, width, length, and breadth of the fullness of Christ's Gospel.

A THESIS

In my Masters thesis-- I love starting sentences that way. It makes me sound so pompous... ahem, in my Masters thesis at seminary, I explored the history of the liturgical tradition and studied how those ancient elements of worship (e.g., the Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) were valuable at the time they were established. Second, seeing how they have been adapted over time, I reflected on in what ways these elements are valuable now. Finally, and here is the risky part, I ventured to see what would happen if I myself interpreted these ancient pieces musically and theologically. (At this point you can blame my thesis advisor for encouraging me.)

Most of the ramblings of my thesis were a kind of dialogue with four wonderful primary authors: Walter Brueggemann, Gail Ramshaw, Don Saliers, and Gordon Lathrop. (Kinda looks like the cast of Seinfeld... (but which one is Kramer?)) I appreciate how each of these writer/teacher/theologians has ever one foot in the ancient tradition and one foot in the contemporary world.

In the midst of my studies, I found myself developing five essential values around music for congregational singing. It's a list in progress, but I thought I'd share them here in hopes of dialogue with anyone who cares to offer his or her thoughts.

FIVE ESSENTIALS FOR WORLD-MAKING WORSHIP

It must anchor us in the ancient heritage of the faith. We need to re-member that the faith we confess we didn't just make up yesterday.
It must inspire us toward the most imaginative language to express and explore our 21st-century faith.
It must be about welcoming all into fellowship, and celebrating our diversity as people of God.
It must acknowledge the reality of our world's many religious traditions, and the value of each. Christians might deepen our devotion to Christ by understanding another religion's way.
It must be centered in an ecological and so-called feminist perspective that reminds us that the human species must live in partnership with the earth and all creation.

theology

THE WORLDMAKING BIT

DENOMINATION, DOCTRINE, AND CHOCOLATE

A THESIS

NAME DROPPING