Liturgy comes from the Greek leitourgia which is composed from words for work (ergon) and people (laos). In ancient Greece, a liturgy was a public work performed for the benefit of the city or state. Its principle was the same as the one for paying taxes, but it could involve donated service as well as taxes. Paul speaks of the Roman authorities literally as “liturgists of God” (Romans 13:6) and of himself as “a liturgist of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles” (Romans 15:16).
Liturgy, then, is a work performed by the people for the benefit of others…
To call a service “liturgical” is to indicate that it was conceived so that all worshipers take an active part in offering their worship together.
How do you experience liturgy? What do you wonder about the liturgy at The Table or in your own community of faith?
(Quote is shared from “Introduction to Christian Worship” by James F. White p. 32)
0 Comments