Reflection on a Worship Service

Theology is a Church activity, not merely an academic discipline, and Christian doctrine is Church doctrine. The goal of this assignment is to help you draw connections between the categories of theology and actual Christian practices — between the doctrine we have been learning in class, and the Christian practice that goes on in the worshiping Church.

Write a theological analysis of a church service (but not a chapel service at school) with respect to its explicit and implicit Christian doctrines. Appreciate and/or critique the service of your choice at the Christian church of your choice, drawing on course materials as applicable to make your points.

Please include the printed program of the worship service you attend, so I can follow along. If none is available (or if the program is not descriptive enough), outline it yourself. Don't forget details like the name and denomination of the church, which service you attended, and so on.

Where will you find Christian doctrines embodied in a worship service? Look in:

• The structure of the service (what comes where in the order of worship, and why might the order be theologically significant?).
• The words and tenor of either rehearsed or extemporaneous prayers.
• The words and tenor of songs and hymns. Often traditional hymns are theologically packed, and chosen carefully for their liturgical occasion, so pay close attention here.
• Scripture. "Liturgical" churches often have readings preselected from a lectionary. My church picks them ad hoc. How does the choice of Scriptures serve theological purposes?
• Sermon themes and illustrations.
• Other features of the service: processional; dress, decorations, and "effects"; special rituals like baby dedications, drama, baptisms, and confirmation; offering and offertory; Communion; benediction; recessional; etc. How do these reflect doctrinal themes in the church's worship?

Look for:

• Prominence of central themes in our course: e.g., atonement theories; the personhood of Christ; the personhood and work of the Holy Spirit; the threefold office; doctrine of the Trinity; sin and grace; election.
• Ways in which a church's symbolism shows its ecclesiological self-understanding.
• Whether and how its worship practices fit the Trinitarian nature of Christian faith.
• Connections with particular details from lectures and readings (cited appropriately, of course).
• Particularly insightful or striking uses of doctrinal themes or theological uses of Scripture.
• Ways you see Christian doctrine presented practically, and lived out in the Church.

Uh-oh! What if the service is theologically and doctrinally poor?

• First, don't condemn it too quickly. Before you give up on the service, look hard for solid doctrine coming to life. Begin with a spirit of charity. Be responsive to the fact that the church may simply be doing things in an unfamiliar way, so that you have to "translate."
• If the service simply needs doctrinal improvement, then tell me how you would improve it. Again, here I would be most impressed with suggestions that tie doctrine in with real Christian worship practice in a compelling way.

Please keep your paper 3-4 pages, double-spaced, and follow the directions in my handout for writing papers. Remember, I want to see proper style, clear writing, a thorough answer to the question, and explicit citations of course materials.

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