The seminar Lutheran Understanding of Worship, Liturgy and Sacraments was organised by the Lutheran Study Centre for the English-speaking Lutheran Churches in Malaysia and Singapore from 21 to 23 October 2024. Dr Andrew Pfeiffer was the key resource person, while Rev Terry Kee and Dr Wilfred Samuel, conducted one session each. Forty participants represented the […]

The seminar Lutheran Understanding of Worship, Liturgy and Sacraments was organised by the Lutheran Study Centre for the English-speaking Lutheran Churches in Malaysia and Singapore from 21 to 23 October 2024. Dr Andrew Pfeiffer was the key resource person, while Rev Terry Kee and Dr Wilfred Samuel, conducted one session each.

Forty participants represented the member churches of the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Malaysia and Singapore (FELCMS). The purpose of organising the seminar was to address some of the key issues faced by the FELCMS due to the strong influence of Reformed and Pentecostal theology. Because of this influence, some regard worship as mainly an activity that we do to and for God. When worship is performance-based, it can distort our true understanding of God and what he has done for us – the gospel.

Dr Andrew reminded the participants that the faith we profess and the faith we have been given, is not about performance, but about the grace of God, gifting us salvation and faith through Jesus Christ. He shared the Lutheran Tract Mission tract ‘The service with Communion explained’ which states, “In the worship of the church we come together as God’s children, and our Lord comes to serve us. He comes in his word and in his supper, to encourage and forgive us. We prepare for our Lord’s visit to us, we meet him in his word and sacraments, and we express our faith in him and our gratitude to him”.

Some participants were also confused if worship is about expressing what the mind believes or the heart has affection for. They had heard that worship is mainly a celebration – a response to who God is and what He has done for us. Some participants believed that the use of liturgy in worship services hinders the free work of the Holy Spirit within worship. Dr Andrew therefore defined the role of liturgy, touching on both historical and Lutheran traditions. He taught the way the Bible is used in the liturgy and the way the Holy Spirit is at work through the Word as worshippers encounter Christ in Word and Sacrament.

The issues surrounding the sacraments were also addressed, namely, the validity of infant baptism and questions concerning rebaptism. In relation to the Lord’s Supper the question on how to understand Real Presence was addressed. Dr Andrew explained that Martin Luther made the argument that a purely symbolic Eucharist turns the sacrament into a futile work of man rather than a grace and blessing from God.

The participants had very positive comments on the seminar and have indicated that a similar theological seminar on Pneumatology be held next year. We are very thankful to LCA International Mission and Australia Lutheran College for having made it possible for Dr Andrew Pfeiffer to be the key resource person at this seminar.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in mission, serving in practical ways, teaching English, teaching in the seminaries and institutions of our partner churches, or in local churches, you are invited to phone LCA International Mission on (08) 8267 7317 or email lcaim@lca.org.au. For more information, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/volunteer/

Read more stories about volunteering at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/join-gods-mission/volunteers/