The Liturgical Script of the Church

"All things are yours," Paul declared in I Corinthians 3 to a tempestuous and contentious church – one that had divided itself into factions, each championing a particular leader (Paul, Apollos, Jesus). But Paul wanted to call these believers to something higher. Earlier on in the same letter, he explained that God had given the church resources, which in this case meant leaders and teachers who contributed different gifts to the church.

The church today has far more resources than the church in Corinth had; we have 2,000 years of history, which contains a vast assortment of writers, preachers, artists, musicians and so much more. We do not have to limit ourselves to the last 50 years or to one particular branch of the Christian movement. "All things are yours," Paul says. The "all" in this case is vast and rich beyond measure: Julian's Showings, Michelangelo's "David," the Cathedral of Chartres, Bach's "St. John's Passion," the autobiography of St. Augustine. And more. So much more.

In this 45-part series, you will be introduced to a taste of this banquet of riches: The hymnody, art, literature, poetry, theology, and spiritual rhythms and practices of the Christian tradition. We are calling it the Liturgical Script of the Church, liturgy having to do with the "work of the people." In this case, the contributions people have made to the Christian movement over the centuries. A taste, yes – but a taste of rich and nourishing food. A banquet indeed!

For a detailed breakdown of this track and its content, read The Liturgical Script of the Church Detailed Overview.

Track Overview

This track contains a total of 45 video sessions, divided into Track A and Track B. Each session is accompanied by a detailed study guide with prompts for personal and communal reflection, opportunities for prayer, prompts for further study or a spiritual practice, and small group study questions. Groups are encouraged to spend as much time as needed with each session, as certain materials (e.g., literature) may require more time to read and discuss.

If some session topics are of particular interest to group members, we encourage you to spend more time exploring the topic and recommended readings (included in each study guide). For example, a group may spend a second week studying additional hymns from Wesley or exploring additional renderings of the Last Supper.

• Track A (22 sessions) – The Bible, Art, Theology, Church Year
• Track B (23 sessions) – The Psalms, Literature, Poetry, Spiritual Practices, Hymns

Registration is $50 per participant for each track (A or B).

Register as a Church Register as an Individual

Church registration is designed for large groups and entire congregations that plan to study this track together. Registrants will sign up through their church, and a single payment will be made to the Office of Church Engagement. Churches should compile their participant list in this template: Participant List Template

Individual registration is designed for small groups where individual members can complete their own registration and pay separately.

Presenters

Ben Brody – Ben Brody is a professor of music at Whitworth University where he also serves as the director of campus worship. Additionally, Ben is the president-elect of the Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada and previously served as the director of music at Colbert Presbyterian Church. He has a deep passion for authentic worship that is based in scriptural truth and musical excellence.

Meredith Shimizu – Meredith is a professor of art history at Whitworth University where she specializes in early Northern Renaissance art. She earned a Ph.D. in art history from Northwestern University and previously spent many years in church-based ministry. Meredith is passionate about drawing people into the rich world of art history in order to explore other time periods, places and cultures.

Taylor Telford – Taylor Telford is the associate pastor for imaginative worship at Knox Presbyterian Church in Spokane. She received her Ph.D. in theology from the University of St. Andrews where her studies focused on Christology, anthropology and identity.

Eric Peterson – Eric Peterson is the pastor of Colbert Presbyterian Church, which he founded in 1997. He earned his D.Min. from Portland Seminary and has authored three books, advises doctoral students at Portland Seminary, and serves as a trustee at Whitworth University.

Elizabeth Peterson – Elizabeth Peterson is a spiritual director, spiritual direction supervisor, yoga instructor and retreat facilitator with her M.A. in spiritual formation from Portland Seminary. Elizabeth seeks to create safe and sacred spaces for individuals and groups to reflect on their own lives, become more aware of God’s presence, and live from their truest identity as his beloved.

Jeremy and Betsy Wynne – Betsy Wynne is the associate pastor for congregational care at First Presbyterian Church, Spokane, and Jeremy is a professor of theology at Whitworth University. The Wynnes love being a part of the Whitworth and First Presbyterian communities, and both enjoy digging deep into scripture and pursuing God's work in people's lives.

Michael Bruner – Michael Bruner is a retired professor of practical theology at Azusa Pacific University where he taught courses on spiritual identity and formation, theology, literature and cultural hermeneutics. He is also an ordained minister in the PCUSA.

Jake Andrews – Jake Andrews is a priest, writer and former professor of English from Whitworth University. He holds an M.A. in fiction and a Ph.D. in theology. He currently serves as a full-time priest in the Episcopal Church.