Based on the following anecdotes, it would seem that some 19th century Lutherans were just as poor at mimicking the revivalistic methods of their Methodist neighbors as many 21st century Lutherans are at mimicking the "Evangelical style" of today's big non-denominational churches. Instead, the result is a muddled mess that is neither Lutheran, nor Methodist, nor Evangelical, nor anything else.
"One of our ultra revival men, after having preached some time in his new charge, said to the people, 'You sit here like stupid blocks and say nothing. I know not whether I preach good sermons or indifferent ones. Where I came from I could always tell this, for whenever I said anything that pleased the people, or that was particularly good, a number of persons would say, "Amen." This would encourage me, and I could preach better. But here I never get any such encouragement.' He then began his sermon, and was soon in full swing. He waxed louder and louder, and eloquence was at its height, when he vociferated, 'We are all cold and dead. We all, minister and people, need a revival. Your sons and your daughters are on the road to hell.' 'Amen,' shouted out one of the audience. The preacher suddenly stopped, gave him one look, and then scolded the poor fellow more severely for saying 'Amen,' than he had some time before for not saying it. The old fellow muttered, as he came out [of the] church, 'He may say amen himself next time.'—D. H. B."
Quoted from John G. Morris, Fifty Years in the Lutheran Ministry (Baltimore: 1878), pages 555-556.
"An old-fashioned minister found his young people attending a Methodist revival, and some leaving him. Upon this, he made an appointment in the following language: 'To-morrow evening we will hold a revival in this house.' The evening came, and the house was crowded. A young man preached the sermon. At the end of the sermon, the old pastor arose and said, Now let all the young gentlemen, who wish to be prayed for, come forward and kneel around the altar.' Some dozens of young men obeyed the invitation, and the old man kneeled down and prayed, not forgetting 'God's ancient people, the Jews,' in the course of his supplications. He then arose and said, 'The young gentlemen will now go to their seats, and the young ladies will surround the altar.' Some scores of young ladies obeyed the summons, and the good old man went through the same long, tedious prayer, not forgetting the 'ancient people.' He then arose, remanded the young ladies to their seats, and appointed a revival for next evening, and dismissed the congregation. The next evening came, but all the young men and young ladies were at the Methodist church, and remained there.—D. H. B."
Ibid., pages 556-557
This second story is illustrative, to my mind, of the problem facing many Lutheran congregations today which try to ape the worship styles of large, non-sacramental churches – the Lutherans are simply not as good at those styles of worship as their non-Lutheran neighbors. The end result? They lose the very people they were trying to gain. Not only that, but they lose the rest as well. Note that at the beginning of this account, only some of the young people were leaving; by the end, all the young people had left. This is to be expected. If the Lutherans are merely offering a poor copy of what another church is doing, why bother? There is nothing distinctly Lutheran about it, and the services are poorly done to boot. The application today can surely not be lost on anyone who is a member of the LCMS or WELS, or indeed any traditional Christian denomination, and who has experienced varied attempts at "contemporary worship."
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