NOTE: The insert that was at one time attached to the hard copy and hyper-linked to this electronic document has been removed from the Commision on Worship's website. I apologize that it is no longer available.

Having thought through this issue, and done some study, I can not support "contemporary worship" and it's legislation through popular demand.

Attached is a brief overview of a study done by Dr. Barbara Resch, as part of her doctoral dissertation at Indiana University. Doctor Resch is currently professor of music education at Indiana-Perdue University, Fort Wayne IN.

Her study interviewed 497 teenagers from all across the nation, and from various religious backgrounds, including 60 (12%) unchurched teens. The teenagers listened to 40 different music samples, all "Christian music," and were asked to judge the appropriateness of each sample for use in worship. The sample rated most appropriate for church was a recording of men singing a setting of Psalm 98 from "The Lutheran Hymnal" (TLH 667). It seems the teens don't think church should be the same thing they already have plenty of out in the world. As I reflected on this issue, I realized that neither do I. The teens also seem to have a good understanding of the corporate nature of worship, "embracing a sensitivity to the intergenerational oneness of the worshipping community." For more information please read the attached interview.

The Divine Service is not a place we go to fill our wants and desires. It is an event where God Himself comes to us, forgives us, grants us life and creates and strengthens our faith through Word and Sacrament. The German word is Gottesdienst, or "God's service." In the Divine Service I do not wish to hear words or music designed to make me "feel good." I want to be directed to God and what He has done for me. This is not to say that we all must wear dour faces, and feelings can't be expressed or joy can't be experienced, but that the focus needs to remain on God, not me or my feelings. Remember the words of Jesus as he reminded the busy Martha who "wanted" what appeared good, that Mary was receiving the better thing, the "one thing needful." I would also like to recall the Apostle Paul, who thinking in his prayers that healing for his affliction would be a "good thing", was answered by God "My grace is sufficient for you."

I also do not wish to "push" an issue through by means of popular vote. Matters of worship are to be left up to the pastor. He is the one called by God to serve as our shepherd. We are not pastors. It is not for us to determine what is and is not to be a part of worship.

The Gottesdienst (God's service) belongs to the Holy Christian Church, and I would beg you to understand that this does not mean those of us who have signed a petition or others who have made louder anonymous complaints. Political support or savvy does not equal righteousness. Furthermore, these tactics can clearly be seen as part of the ruthless post-modern world today. It should not be so with the Body of Christ.

Because of Christ,