Monday, October 1, 2007
Neither Cranky nor Uncritical
Tone is important, but so is truth. It is my hope that the general tone of this blog refrains from being overly cranky (which I am known to be at times regarding all things liturgical). At the same time, it is my hope that it also aims at discerning the Truth, whom we confess is Jesus of Nazareth.
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My colleague here at First Lutheran, Onalaska WI (my new call as of Jan 7) was a minor contributor to the ELW. He was one of the major worship leaders in the ELCiC before returning to the states 4 years ago and was asked to help with the music portions. Breck McHan is his name. I don't think he was in on any of the conversations that led to prayer language... but he was in on some of the shapes of the rites.
ReplyDeleteI have only been working with hinm a short time, and he is a uniquely gifted pastor - a major reason I chose to receive the call here. His theology is bona fide Lutheran, but I think his emphases reflect the general sense of the ELW - especially the stuff you don't like: the going away from particularities toward generalities. Broader sweeping watered down language rather than definitive, clear, plaintive langauge.
I appreciate being invited in to read your blog on this. I will have fun chewing on your thoughts. Your bright mind will see and hear things in our new book that would have never occurred to me, and I want to plumb the good and bad of the ELW for many personal and professional reasons. So thanks for your efforts with this blog.
I'm offering this comment because as I read your blog I hope that you really will attempt to steer clear of crankiness for a few reasons. 1) This is the book we have. It's our book for a while. And although I am under no illusions that it is perfect, I don't want to walk into worship every Sunday thinking that ll it is is crap. To get cranky about its shortcomings (and I know there are many) would at this point be like resenting a disabled child in the family. The ELW is a part of our worship life in the ELCA now, so cranky won't help. 2) In that vein, helpful and thoughtful and uncranky criticism will best serve what I assume to be your point with this blog: getting us - the ELCA - back toward more responsible language for the next book. This may be a 20 year challenge for you. But I and others will respond to merciful critical language better than cranky words. 3) You are not a crank. Those of us who know you love your passion, energy, insights and ability to articulate complex ideas. As this is a blog, your language becomes who YOU are.
I know you know all this already. I just wanted to share how excited I am that you are doing these reflections, that I was invited in and that you mean to offer helpful criticism rather than turning this into a venting blog as to how our Family of Faith made such a blunder with a book that in many ways I personally love. So, thanks in advance for your time and effort.