If It’s Not Broken…Should We Fix It?

I wasn’t surprised when I studied the results of the Hymnal Project’s survey of WELS pastors. I have had the opportunity to serve as a consultant for the WELS Schools of Worship and Outreach, so I’ve seen what a lot of our congregations are doing on Sunday morning. Anecdotally, I could say, “WELS worship is lectionary-based.”

I wasn’t surprised, but I was pleased when I saw that the data confirmed my general impression. Question 31 of that survey asked pastors what sets the agenda for the scriptural content of Sunday morning worship. Overwhelmingly, WELS congregations are using the lectionaries that are part of the Christian Worship line. With 95% of our church body following the Church Year and the lectionary, the Scripture Committee is firmly committed to making our next hymnal a project that reflects that.

Seeing those numbers, it’s tempting for us as a Scripture Committee to simply photocopy pages 163-166 in Christian Worship and move on. If it’s not broken, why fix it, right?

Looking at the survey a little closer, however, you quickly realize that the first response (93%) includes congregations who use CW or Christian Worship Supplement lectionaries. A large number of congregations are using the supplemental readings that were provided in CWS. The Supplement offered a broad revision of the three-year lectionary. It features Old Testament narratives that bring many Sunday School stories into the main service. It replaced continual readings (lectio continua) in the Epistles with lessons selected to fit the theme of the Sunday. Many worship leaders and worship participants have expressed appreciation for the addition of the Old Testament narrative and the thematic approach to lesson selection. For example, during the Easter Season, about 50% of congregations participating in the hymnal project’s three-year lectionary review have been using the alternate first lessons suggested in the Supplement.

The Scripture Committee’s review of the lectionary hopes to build on the work that CWS began. Here’s the initial outline of what we’re looking to do:

• The Gospels in the CW lectionary will largely be retained.
• The Gospel will establish the theme for the Sunday.
• Lessons will be thematic (no lectio continua).
• The First Lesson will be balanced between prophecy and narrative; during the Easter Season it will feature Acts.
• We will provide for three lessons each Sunday. Alternate lessons could be provided in additional digital content.
• All Old Testament narrative texts will be preaching selections. Some of the narratives featured in the Supplement weren’t intended as preaching texts due to their length.
• We will publish a version of the historic one-year lectionary.
• Additional digital content could be made available including: sets of thematic series, special commemoration days, and sets of continual readings.

Thanks for everyone who took part in this survey. We need your input, and we are listening. Please continue to share your thoughts with us.

Serving with you and and for you,

Jonathan Schroeder