wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Survey measures Synod worship practices

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>8.21.2009		
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>THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod  	 	
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	August 21, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 68

Survey measures worship practices, attitudes in Synod

When it comes to differences in worship practices and attitudes among
Synod congregations, a 2008 survey of two groups of LCMS congregations
on that topic found "it's less about what they do and more about how
they communicate," said Rev. David Johnson, executive director of the
LCMS Commission on Worship.

The commission developed and analyzed the survey in collaboration with
LCMS Research Services, which administered it.

"This is the most comprehensive survey on worship practices that I am
aware of," said Dr. John O'Hara, senior research analyst with LCMS
Research Services.

A group of 300 LCMS congregations was specifically selected to
participate in the survey -- those with both the highest number and
highest percentage of adult confirmations reported for 2006.

"This double criterion was essential to isolate and identify not only
large congregations, but all congregations that reported a significant
percentage of growth," O'Hara explained. "Only churches that met both
criteria were defined as the top five percent."

For comparison purposes, 300 other randomly selected LCMS congregations
also participated in the survey that was sent, completed, and returned
by mail or online. For both groups, 56 percent of the selected
participants completed and returned the survey, which profiled a broad
range of worship practices across the Synod.

Questions on the survey explored the congregations' diversity of worship
services offered, musical styles, liturgical practices, worship planning
paradigms, "people" resources, musical resources, and use of multimedia
in worship.

Johnson said that in addition to gathering factual information about
worship practice, "many questions sought to understand underlying
attitudes about worship that inform and shape worship and musical
practice.

"The survey reveals an ardent desire to remain Lutheran," he said,
"particularly through preaching the Word and celebrating the sacraments.
Communicating the Gospel remains paramount within the distinct context
of the local community. Divergent practices were unveiled in those
communities that intentionally seek to engage not only lifelong
Lutherans, but also [that] seek contextually to embrace and invite those
who are unchurched."

He said the survey found that the "top 5 percent" congregations are
"deliberately adaptable -- open to navigating changes in worship life,
[such as] moderating generational concerns, considering the needs of
visitors, creating a defined aesthetic, and making worship accessibly
understood by the unchurched, as well as [by] established parishioners."

"Congregations largely committed to undergirding the treasury of our
hymnody and liturgy seek to preserve our historical identity," Johnson
added. "No singular [worship] attitude or practice stands out as a
significant key to numerical growth."

He stressed that although there are differences in worship style between
the two groups of congregations surveyed, "they are not significant.

"In general," Johnson pointed out, "the survey found that top 5 percent
congregations are more likely to conduct blended or contemporary
services, while congregations from the random sample are more likely to
have a higher percentage of traditional services."

He said the commission conducted the survey "to be informed about the
actual worship practices and to help determine the care taken by our
congregations as they purposefully seek to balance heritage, theology,
doctrine, and mission.

"The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod has always professed an unwavering
commitment to the truth and a passion for missions," Johnson told
Reporter. "Worship is the intersection in which all of our attitudes,
passions, and commitments merge, shaped by the proclamation of the Word
and administration of the sacraments."

The survey does not indicate any "silver bullets for the vitality,
health, and growth of congregations," O'Hara said, "but it does provide
the commission and the Synod with valuable information."

To see the survey results, go to http://worship.lcms.org/worshipsurvey.

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If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release, contact
Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org
<mailto:joe.isenhower@lcms.org>  or (314) 996-1231, or Paula Schlueter
Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org <mailto:paula.ross@lcms.org>  or (314)
996-1230.

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