This picture shows a school classroom in the village of Nanange, Tanzania.
Back in February, I attended the Pamoja Summit in Iringa, Tanzania. It was an incredible experience that continues to inform and shape my ministry at St. James. I learned a great deal from my colleagues, both those who traveled with me from St. Paul and also those who I met in Tanzania.
Before COVID caused us to rethink the way we are doing ministry, I had a notebook filled with ideas and things that I wanted to try at St. James. Many months later, it is time that I dusted off those pages and returned to some of the insights from Iringa.
One of the things that intrigued me back at the start of the year was the concept of a “Teaching Worship.” These happen in Tanzania by the order of the bishop around once a month. Instead of using the regular liturgy for worship, the worship time is used for teaching. One of the challenges that the Iringa Diocese faces is the rapid growth of congregations (it is the fastest growing Lutheran church on the planet.) The concern of the bishop and pastors is that many adults who attend don’t know the basics of the faith. Teaching worships help to engage the church in not only learning the foundations of Christian faith but also aids them in applying that teaching to everyday lives.
Teaching was a core part of Martin Luther’s ministry (he was a teacher of the Old Testament in Wittenberg) and has an important legacy within the church that bears his name. Pastors within the Lutheran church are called to preach and teach the gospel. Whereas teaching and preaching are related, they are different forms of proclamation with varying goals. Preaching seeks to inspire, comfort, and challenge. Teaching focuses more on learning and applying concepts.
For the next two Sundays, during our 9:30 Online livestream, we are trying out our own version of this Tanzanian worship style. In addition to music and prayer, there will be an extended time for learning. We will start with the Ten Commandments. On September 20, we will look at the commandments as they concern our relationship with God. On September 27, we will look at the application of the commandments to our relationships with others.
In these days of pandemic, there is an opportunity for creativity and being the church “outside the box” of our usual patterns and practices. At St. James Lutheran, we continue to make good use of technology and innovation as we seek to proclaim the good news of God’s love in diverse ways. Teaching worships are just one more attempt to make the best out of our circumstances. I trust that you will find this unique style to lift your spirit, give you something to ponder, and grow in your discipleship as a follower of Jesus.
I pray that this Ministry Moment finds you safe and healthy. I look forward to when I will see you again - through your computer, car window, or in-person.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt