Distinctively Lutheran

There is a trend in the LCMS towards "confessionalism," which promotes a high view of the Book of Concord (which is nothing new) and elaborate ceremonialism while denigrating contemporary worship. It's also fashionable to ridicule the term "Protestant," downplaying evangelism in favor of an inward focus on liturgy, and an embarrassed silence on the topic of "the priesthood of all believers." Churches that don't have Communion every Sunday, or embrace chasubles and genuflection, or aspire to purchase a censer are perceived as backwards, misguided, and "Reformed." Recent blog articles even question whether it is necessary to be "distinctively Lutheran" at all. Is the WELS drifting in this direction as well?

From my perspective, I am not able to point to any widespread trends. You will find diversity of worship styles in our congregations. That is an expression of Christian freedom. You can find contemporary worship in mission settings and well-established congregations. You can find traditional and blended worship in well-established congregations. Might individual pastors and lay people have preferences for worship styles? Certainly, but I am not in a position to state that the Synod is “drifting” in any particular direction. I can say that we are not looking to hide our Lutheran identity.