Evangelical Worship Needs Church History

Gavin Ortlund explains how knowing church history can strengthen evangelical worship services.

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is President of Truth Unites and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:11 - 1) Liturgy
04:26 - 2) Communion
06:50 - 3) Preaching
09:16 - 4) Passing the Peace
11:15 - 5) Songs
16:21 - A Healthy Need

[derrickcarson]

Ten seconds in and you already deserve a like. "Evangelical worship can sometimes feel kind of shallow... Feels like a concert, and TED talk about Jesus". Soooo true!

[wham]

Gen Z here!
Grew up evangelical and during my first week of college I went to an Anglican Church… I was blown away! I have a hard time explaining it, but I felt that everything we did was an act of worship… it was so different than what I was used to… I loved it!

[johnrutavičius]

The way I solved this problem was I left my Neoevangelical church and joined the Lutheran Church. I became more conservative but less turned-in on myself. I found the historic liturgy freeing, and the Eucharist was comforting. I stopped looking inward, and began looking outward to Christ.

[FedoraMan]

I appreciate how Mr. Ortlund wants to encourage modern Evangelical churches to infuse historic Christian practices into their worship services. I think a lot of what people are looking for is a feeling of reverence and a feeling of the sacred.

[TheExiledDefenfer]

As a member of the younger generation, I have long found the more historical and liturgical tradition just so much richer and more engrossing. The intellectual stimulation and solemn mood of historical worship is not opposed to passion, but harbors it all the more for the sake of true worship. I appreciate your putting this out here as I have come to find that beauty and transcendence is really more of a hunger in the emerging generation than is often acknowledged.

[mikeydonnie]

Catholic here. The recitation of the Creed fits nicely right after the homily. I was told that the Creed serves as a "check list " to make sure what is said in the homily agrees with the teaching of the historical church

[ohyeet]

Amen! Gen Z evangelical pastor-in-training here. I’m all about public psalm readings (in addition to hymns and even spiritual songs), passing the peace, and the centrality of the sermon and Word. Let’s get our pulpits back front and center!!

[fredtrevino]

Ive lately memorized and meditate on the Nicene Creed. Amazing how rich and powerful every word of it becomes.

[NDeGeorge]

I’m only 5 minutes in and as an Orthodox laymen I couldn’t be happier to hear your suggestions Gavin. These traditions and Sacraments are so rich and beautiful, I truly hope low church Protestants take these words to heart. God bless you

[Stormy-vdkv]

Recently started attending Eastern Orthodox Church all the worship music is sung with no instruments it’s absolutely beautiful

[rosslander]

Glad this conversation is being introduced. For the privileged Catholics who already have this, including myself, its good to have that connection to the first and second century Christians. I would highly encourage Protestants to be open to this idea!

[AlwaysLime]

Our church is low church and we have liturgy. Call to worship, confession, assurance, intercession, communion, benediction. I have never been to a church like that until now.

[RogerBesst]

I am an evangelical Christian, but evangelical worship is so shallow, so I found home in the Anglican Church - Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel readings, sermon, confession of sin, to be ready for Holy Communion. Very satisfying, lasting experience. This is the historical faith.

[baloneyusmonk]

I am absolutely thrilled that you made this reflection, thank you Gavin. This is not a condemnation on the denomination I used to be in, but one of the reasons why I’m joining the Anglican Communion is that historical approach to liturgy, worship and especially the Eucharist.

My hope is that this video becomes widespread, and that by God we are bold to share it, especially with pastors and worship leaders.

[Dedézin-coremdeo]

Thank you Gavin for beign used by Jesus, you and redeemed Zoomer made me search more for God and the history of Its church, and now I am closer to Him.

[JoshuaReifsteck]

I think it’s worth noting that from a traditional perspective (Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran) the Eucharist is not “responsive more than receptive.” It’s exactly the opposite! God comes to us and blesses us in this meal. He sets the table and offers us himself for the forgiveness of our sins. Our participation in the meal is responsive only insofar as we are “proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.” The Lord’s Supper is such a beautiful moment of receptiveness.

[emilyb]

I come from a lutheran denomination but I grew up surrounded by Catholicism, and the depth of tradition and meaning within their services and the solemnity and space for quiet they allow for is vital in my view.
What we seem to need is a balance. Praise and worship and a crowd of people excited to do so is good! As is solemnity.
But all somber all the time, or all excitement, is not. The best services I have attended have infused both history and tradition and joy and new works into the proceedings.
We have fellowship, a call to worship and gathering, we sing hymns, perform recitations and stick to scriptures and the Apostle's creed, and always stick to a benediction, but are happy to see a new contemporary praise song or hymn to add to the repetoire. There can be moments to cheer and and sing loud and proud, and moments of quiet reflection and conviction.
We can all learn from each other!

[charlieanderson]

Catholic here. Excellent points, Dr. Ortlund.

[mitchmclean]

This is awesome. I'm a 28 year old from Australia attending a non-denominational church but this year I've started doing Anglican morning prayer each morning and growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of rootedness in my church. Discerning a move to Anglicanism but even many of those churches are insufficiently rooted for me.

[zacdredge]

My favourite hymn is actually contemporary; Great Are You Lord. There's something immensely poignant about our very breath being a thank offering to God.
"It's your breath, in our lungs, so we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise to you only!"