LCMS Worship hosted the 2014 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music at Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, Neb. The theme was “Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People.”
Keynote Addresses
KEYNOTE I:
After the Gospel the Whole Congregations Sings… — Dr. Robin Leaver
Dr. Leaver gives foundational insight into the strong musical heritage of the Lutheran Church, and the big question today is: will we bother to keep this heritage and value it for the priceless treasure it is?
KEYNOTE II:
Preaching and the Conscience — Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller
While all but absent in today’s Church, the Lutheran Confessions insist that the point of preaching is to console terrified consciences. Pastor Wolfmueller instructs us that preaching is to play in informing, healing and comforting consciences in peril.
KEYNOTE III:
Addressing the White Elephant in the Room — Paul Soulek, Betsy Werner
Explores assisting in the making of the Church’s song, warning against liturgical forms becoming idols, falling in love with tunes before examining the content of texts, and allowing wars of words that tear down rather than speaking the truth in love.
KEYNOTE IV:
Liturgy and Conscience — Dr. John Kleinig
Dr. John Kleinig leads us on a romp through the liturgy and seeing how it is from start to finish intended to bestow the gift of a good conscience upon us through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Here is comfort indeed.