Worship matters!
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
One activity by far exceeds all others in involving people directly with the life and work of a congregation—worship. Public worship is so central to our understanding of the church that we couldn't possibly conceive of the church without it. 
It's the time when we gather with our fellow believers to hear the precious Word of God proclaimed. It's the setting for us to confess our sins and to receive the precious news of God's forgiveness. In worship we kneel beside those who share our faith and receive the body and blood of our Savior. In worship we witness and celebrate the new life that God creates in Holy Baptism. In worship we join our hearts and voices in prayer and in songs of praise to a gracious God. In worship, as God conveys his love to us in Word and sacrament, we convey to him our thanks, our gifts, and our faith-generated commitment to a life of faithful service.
Since worship is such an important activity in our lives as Christians, it's absolutely vital that we get it right. We need to be sure our worship is Christ-centered and biblically based. We need to be sure that our worship expresses the joy that we have in Christ and that it proclaims clearly the reason and basis for that joy. We need to plan carefully and to carry out our worship in a way that touches the hearts and lives of God's people and in a way that equips them for lives of service to him. In worship, as in anything we do as Christians, we will want to strive for excellence as we give God the glory and honor due him.
Worship is a timely topic in the church these days. Perhaps more now than at any time in recent history, people are discussing not only the value of worship, but they are also discussing important issues involving the role and purpose of worship, the styles of worship, and the ways to conduct our worship in the very best possible way.
This month's edition of WELS Connection tells the story of an important event that will take place this summer. WELS Commission on Worship will hold the National Worship Conference in St. Peter, Minn., July 28-31. This conference is the largest worship conference of all North American Lutheran church bodies. The sessions will focus on the important principles to remember as we plan and carry out our worship. And it's not just for musicians; it will offer helpful information and resources for musicians and non-musicians alike.
This conference is important for a number of reasons. It's important because worship is so important. It's important because it will provide encouragement and resources for pastors, teachers, and laypeople to plan and carry out worship in the very best possible ways. In a day when so much discussion on worship is taking place, this conference will help to clarify the important principles to keep in mind as we plan and carry out our worship. It will be a means for us to unite around the timeless worship heritage and values that we share and to explore the best possible ways for us to exercise our Christian freedom in worship in ways that glorify God, proclaim the saving gospel, and touch the hearts and lives of God's people.
Information about this summer’s conference and online registration are now available at: www.wels.net/jump/worship-conf
For a preview of what the conference is all about, watch March's WELS Connection online: http://streams.wels.net/video/mar08
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: Minnesota, Music, Worship
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