“Liturgy is education.” – William Willimon
What is liturgy? It is the work of the people, the structure, rhythms, purpose and intention behind our gathering. And over the next couple of weeks I want to walk you through our liturgy at Cornerstone - what we do, and why we do it.
Why is liturgy important? Because a gospel-centered liturgy runs counter to the liturgy of the culture, reeducating, reforming, reshaping us under the authority of God’s Word, by the power of God’s Spirit, as God’s people. Liturgy is education.
Liturgy connects us to a larger story… As we gather, we join the saints and angels in the very presence of God, all of heaven, every nation, those who have gone before and those who will come after in seeing and responding to our God (Rev 5:11-12, Neh 9:6, 1 Pet 2:9, Phil 2:10-11). Using the Word, prayers, and songs that have stirred wonder and worship in God’s people past, and will continue long after we are gone. It shapes how we gather, how we are sent and how we engage on mission together. Liturgy is connecting.
And liturgy sets a framework of long-term discipleship, ensuring a balanced diet of understanding and expression (more on this in the weeks to come). It allows those mature in their faith as well as those exploring faith, and those who are mourning as well as those who are celebrating to enter in, engage, and respond to God’s revelation of Himself. Liturgy is discipleship.
Growing together,
AB