Theology & Purpose
11:15 Liturgical Arts seeks to design a worship service each week that re-presents the Gospel in a way that is highly participatory, artistically innovative, and intentionally outward-faced.
For an in-depth explanation of the theology of worship which drives our choices, listen to Greg Thompson's plenary address given at the 2011 Bifrost Arts conference: The Order of Worship & The Order of Love
Music
A key feature of the 11:15 music team is its diversity in age, instrumentation, and musical style. On any given Sunday, Central is led in worship by musicians in their teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and above, playing such instruments as piano, guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, trumpet, cajon, and harmonica on songs that stem from the modern, ancient, classical, folk, and jazz traditions. Our desire is to mine the wealth of musical talent at Central and give every willing musician an opportunity to participate in leading worship. This mindset has led to the formation of a choral ensemble and a string quintet, as well as the emergence of gifted composers from within our church family. The 11:15 music ministry is about creative engagement of our culture and community with the truths of the Gospel.
Liturgy
We intentionally design worship services that are liturgical because we believe that liturgy has the following benefits if done well:
Re-Presentation—The structure of liturgy re-tells the story of the Gospel. For example, God pursues his people (Call to Worship), we realize our sin and confess it (Prayer of Confession), he assures of forgiveness in Jesus (Assurance of Grace), we profess faith (Affirmation of Faith), he nourishes us and guides us with his word (Scripture Lessons, Sermon, and Sacraments), and sends us out with blessing to do his will (Benediction).
Conversation—Worship is a two-way dialogue between God and his people. Liturgy helps make this obvious.
Participation—The people of God participate more fully when they use their voices not only to sing, but also to speak, pray, confess, profess, etc. This is in contrast to a consumerist paradigm in which the people of God gather to 'consume' what is being done up front.
Connection—Liturgy connects us in 2 ways: 1) we are connected to each other in speaking the same words of scripture, prayers, and creeds together, and 2) we are connected to the historical church when we use the same content and structures of liturgy they used.
Instruction—Liturgy helps teach us how to worship. It can be hard, even for a long-time Christian, but also for new or non-Christians, to say things to God like: “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” “I trust you,” “I need your help,” “I willing to…,” or "Why is this happening?” Liturgy gives us words where otherwise we might not know what to say. Liturgy shapes our hearts where they have gone astray.
Leadership
, Associate Director of Liturgical Arts
Gina's role is to lead everything having to do with the aesthetic of the 11:15 service including selecting music for worship; leading as the chief musician during worship; recruiting, developing, and scheduling other musicians; collaborating with other composers and arrangers; and collaborating with the Pastor of Community Formation in setting the vision for the aesthetic of 11:15 worship.
, Pastor of Community Formation
Jay Thomas's role is to establish, develop, and articulate the overall vision of the 11:15 service with respect to music, liturgy, and mission in collaboration with the Associate Director of Liturgical Arts as well other pastoral staff. Additionally, Jay Thomas authors the weekly liturgy, setting its form and content.
If you are interested in joining the 11:15 music team, or want to know more about the ongoing transformation of this service, please contact Gina or Jay Thomas.
