Central Things: Worship in Word and Sacrament

Worship Matters

by Gordon W. Lathrop

A revised and expanded edition of the 1994 classic. In the 10 years since this book was first published, the ELCA has been engaged in the multi-year Renewing Worship initiative. Lathrop's text has been revised to encompass new developments and directions suggested by this churchwide initiative and its provisional phase of development towards a new core worship resource.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology

84 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Gordon W. Lathrop is a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a retired professor of liturgy. Born in 1939 and educated in Los Angeles, CA (Occidental College), St. Paul, MN (Luther Seminary), and Nijmegen, the Netherlands (the Catholic University of Nijmegen), from 1969-1984 he was parish pastor in Darlington, WI, campus pastor at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, and seminary chaplain at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. After teaching at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia from 1984 until 2004, he was named Professor of Liturgy Emeritus there. From 2006-2012 he was Visiting Professor of Liturgical Studies in Yale Divinity School and the Institute of Sacred Music. In recent years he has taught courses at the St. Thomas Aquinas University in Rome, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark., and here at the Virginia Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology (Fortress 1993), Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology (Fortress 1999), Holy Ground: A Liturgical Cosmology (Fortress 2003), The Pastor: A Spirituality (Fortress 2006), and The Four Gospels on Sunday: The New Testament and the Reform of Christian Worship (Fortress 2012). In 1985 he was the President of the North American Academy of Liturgy. In 1994, 1995 and 1997, he was a participant in international Faith and Order meetings on Worship and Christian Unity. In 2011 he received an honorary doctorate in theology from the University of Helsinki, Finland. From 2011 until 2013 he was President of Societas Liturgica, the international society of scholars in liturgy. He lives now in Arlington, VA, with his wife. Their children and grandchildren live all over the United States.

He continues to write and teach. His research interests are especially focussed on Bible and liturgy, liturgical theology, and liturgy and ecumenism.

Reviews

[Matthew]

A Book that breaks down the key components that are the foundation for Christian worship that connects all denominations together as one body in Christ whether we like it or not.

We use different vocabulary at times, and some even claim to be "non-liturgical" but this quick read (I read it the first time in about an hour and a half) the second and third times through I took more time to digest the content and complex connections that the simple pattern of the ancient liturgy can give when we take the time to be thoughtful about them.

Gather, Word, Meal, Sending... four simple words that throughout time have found such different ways to become manifest among God's worshipping people.

In my opinion if you attend worship, you should read this book and offer it to others. And if you are "seeking" or exploring Christianity for any reason this small but deep work, written by one of the most well known and prolific liturgists that has been seen in a long time, is a must read for your edification and education.

[Compots · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hundreds of people may flock to a Christian church because of its impressive architecture ... its band, its inspirational preaching, its programs of self-help, or its use of multimedia or innovative dance. ... The popularity of these things cannot be the measuring stick. Their service to the central, essential things can."

Central things of Word, Sacrament, Bath and Prayer ... so refreshing to read.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good so far. Ben you might appreciate this simple treatise on the essentials of worship.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book to help in understanding WHY we do what we do in worship as Lutheran Christians. Gordon Lathrop is excellent at helping the reader to understand the meaning behind what we do and why we do it.
I highly recommend this book