Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

Liturgy Is So Boring - Does God Like Us to Be Depressed?

At the dinner table, one of the children of a church family commented on their view of the church service. In her 13-year-old opinion, church services were too formal, too similar, with a lot of language and activity that didn’t mean anything to her. She wondered why the songs were so old, and the music was kinda like going to a funeral home. The whole atmosphere seemed sad and depressing; she didn’t knowwhy they had to chant, and sing at certain times, stand up sometimes, and read at other times. It all seems so boring and old-fashioned. She asked her folks why can’t church be more exciting, like game shows on TV, or the excitement at athletic events. “Does God like us to be depressed?” she asked. What would you say to the 13 year old about her worship experience at her church, and how God wants her to understand and perceive worshiping together?

2

The Church at Worship

Segment 1

Rev. Terry Cornett

The grace of God comes before all human decision or effort–only his grace can enable people to respond to him. It is because of this grace that the Church can worship God and all of the Church’s worship, especially the Lord’s Supper and baptism, is meant to be a testimony to, and an experience of, the grace of God.

Summary of Segment 1

Our objective for this first segment of The Church at Worship is to enable you to:

Give a definition of grace.

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Distinguish between grace and mercy.

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• Identify and answer the Pelagian heresy.

• Explain the difference between the term “sacrament” and the term “ordinance.” • Name and briefly explain the four major Christian views about the Lord’s Supper.