59.3 Worship and Politics
Introduction
If we want to build healthy, safe communities, then what we do and say in worship matters. The kind of liturgical theology that teaches us to act with empathy and justice in worship also forms us as members of all our communities.
Worship as Public Theology
What is public theology?” This was the question I was asked, somewhat abruptly, by two of my Union Presbyterian Seminary colleagues at a faculty dinner in 2019.
And with Your Spirit: How Liturgical Language Speaks to Current Disorder
If you have been in mainline Protestant or Catholic communities over the last forty years, you have likely heard and even spoken these words in corporate worship in this or similar form: The Lord (God) be with you. And also with you.
Presiding in “Un-Presidented” Times
Praesidere. This Latin word, meaning “to sit before,” stands behind the terms “presider” and “president.”
The Truth about Conflict: Preaching When We’re Divided
On January 21, 2025, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde was the preacher for the interfaith Prayer Service for the Nation at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Held the day after the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, the service was attended by the president and vice president, along with elected officials, public leaders, dignitaries, international guests, and many others.
The Transfiguration of Mary
The Transfiguration of Mary is a response to a question: Who would visit Mary if she was transfigured like Jesus?
The Work of Our Hands: Mother Tongue
Creating religious artwork was not my initial aim when I first began pursuing art. In fact, I had a conversation with a friend in college who asked me whether my post-graduation hopes included exclusively pursuing opportunities within the church.
The Bible and Politics: An Interpretive Labyrinth
The weaponization of the Bible in the politics of North Africa and West Asia (NAWA) quite often leaves preachers puzzled on how to interpret, preach, and teach these texts in their contexts. Overwhelmed by the region’s complicated history and afraid of saying the wrong thing or being mislabeled, many pastors choose to avoid the matter altogether.
Approaching Christian Nationalism with Queer Theologies
In The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy, Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry offer seven value statements that they use to measure an individual’s adherence to Christian nationalism in order to define the term.
How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song in This Land?
On July 1, 2017, the First Baptist Church of Dallas Choir and Orchestra performed a new song, “Make America Great Again,” as part of the “Celebrate Freedom” concert held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
What Is a King?
Both the first and fourth grades at our elementary school have been studying the American Revolution in history class this fall. So for the past few months I’ve been hearing a lot about the king of England, the Articles of the Confederation, and the US Constitution.
Confronting White Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to merge Christian identity with American civic life and national identity. It asserts that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should continue to be governed according to what its proponents see as Christian values or biblical principles.
“I’ve Been Wondering . . .” Why Is the American Flag Not Displayed?
Why is the American flag not displayed in our worship space? The short answer to this question is “symbols matter.”
Service for Dedicating a Solar Panel Array
This liturgy was used at Bedford Presbyterian Church in a service, “Bright Hope for Tomorrow,” for the purpose of dedicating a solar panel array on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
On Liturgy: Political Work
On a bright late August morning, after just dropping off our toddler at preschool and while pushing an empty stroller home, I prepared to cross a major north-south corridor through our neighborhood. Seemingly out of nowhere a police car screamed past me, lights and sirens blaring.
On Music: Setting an Expansive Table
In Call to Worship volume 59.2, I wrote about the PC(USA) congregation that called me when I had both feet out the door of any church after many years as a church musician.
On Preaching: Homiletical Hospitality
Wow! What was that? And how do we get more of it?” These words of Beyza, a Turkish Muslim woman leader, rang like the church tower bell that tells the neighborhood something significant is happening.
On the Arts: Proclaiming the Realm of God
Christian worship has always had political implications, whether for or against the current rulers. This is not to say that everything has been seen through a partisan lens, but rather that how Jesus is depicted in both words and images reflects what Christian communities believe about the connection between what he says and does and the relationship between the powerful and those who are sick, poor, or otherwise without power.
