Emerging Lutherans

I’d like to join Aaron in thanking Kate for her continued contribution while so many of us go through the transition of new calls.  I hope to be a more frequent contributor now that things have settled down and I have high speed internet access.

Last month, I discovered an interesting article about the collect prayer form used in so many liturgical traditions.  Its form is used in the introductory prayer in many Lutheran corporate confessions (Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid . . . ).  Because the emerging church has tended to rediscover ancient spiritual practices that can speak to us today in ways that transcend a modern mentality, I found the article to be thought-provoking and, thus, share it with this community.

In the Christian Century article, John D. Witvliet mentions that while it’s structure and pattern might not be something that the emerging community would thrive on, its mystery can be attractive to postmodern audiences.  Beginning with a history and outline of the form, Witvliet goes to to describe how the form can be conducive to extemporaneous and relevant prayers in the contemporary church.  Throughout the article, he talks about how it’s very form resists supersessionism and that it generates a eschatological momentum.

The article, “A pattern of prayer: Collective wisdom,” can be found in the July 29, 2008 issue of the Christian Century. If you don’t have access to a paper copy, you can view the article in PDF format by clicking here: Collective Wisdom - Christian Century Article

~Mike

Filed under: Uncategorized on August 25th, 2008