Luther Condemned Rigid Practices, Valued Liberty & Local Community in Worship; 2 Rural LCMS Iowa Churches Close When SMP Candidate Denied Due to New Age Restriction; LCMS Pastor Shortage Grows Larger

Dear Friend in Christ,

As the decades-long debate around worship style in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod continues, once must ask what Dr. Martin Luther’s position was on this matter.

We recently discovered this excellent article by Lutheran pastor Rev. Dr. Mark Birkholz that should inform the worship conversations in our church body.

Here is an outtake from Rev. Dr. Birholz’s piece that plainly states Dr. Luther’s understanding of, and respect for, local community worship context and Christian liberty:

Luther recognized that liturgical forms change over time based on the setting and the needs of each community. He states, “[L]iberty must prevail in these matters and Christians must not be bound by laws and ordinances. That is why the Scriptures prescribe nothing in these matters, but allow for freedom for the Spirit to act according to his own understanding as the respective place, time, and persons may require it.” (AE 53:37) He also wrote, “I would kindly and for God’s sake request all those who see this order of service or desire to follow it: Do not make it a rigid law to bind or entangle anyone’s conscience, but use it in Christian liberty as long, when, where, and how you find it to be practical and useful.” (AE 53:67)

“Do not make [this order of service] a rigid law to bind or entangle anyone’s conscience.”

We believe that the pastors, circuit visitors, district presidents, Synodical officers, and people in the pews of the LCMS would do well to value and respect Dr. Luther’s scripture-based teaching and move on from this divisive and corrosive contention. There are billions of people waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus, and Him risen, where our time, energies, and resources should be much better invested.

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Soli Deo Gloria!

+ Karsten Christiansen +

Editor-in-Chief