This past Sunday I had the opportunity to prepare a sermon and to lead worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marquette, Neb. Last night I met with two members of the Congregation Council at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., to talk about my service to that parish as its interim pastor beginning July 1. Tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of my ordination. All together, this constellation of events and gatherings and milestones has turned my thoughts to the tasks of serving God and his Church as a leader.

The first task of leadership that crosses my mind is leading in worship. It’s not the only important part of the role of a pastor, but because worship is fundamental to the life of Christians and because it is the foundation upon which parish life is built, it stands foremost in my thoughts. Perhaps this is why, when I read “The Signal for the Work of God,” Chapter 47 of The Rule of Benedict, this passage spoke to me:

As regards singing and reading [during the Work of God, the Divine Office], no one should presume to carry out these functions unless he is capable of edifying the listeners. Let that be done with humility, sobriety and reverence, by the one designated by the abbot (RB 47:3-4, Terrence G. Kardong, Benedict’s Rule: A Translation and Commentary, p. 378).

Saint Benedict is not laying out a complete theology of worship in this chapter, so he does not include a statement of the purpose of worship, but assumes that the community will glorify God. Then, given that, he reminds those who lead to keep in mind the listeners, that they ought to be edified, or built up, by the singing and reading. It seems reasonable to me to adapt this standard to preaching and the complete role of liturgical leader. If I keep foremost in my thoughts and actions the twin foci of giving glory to God and building up the body of Christ, then my work will be faithful to God and loving to the community.

The Rule guides me, reminding me that service in worship ought to be carried out “with humility, sobriety and reverence” (RB 47:4). The first of these qualities—humility—reminds me that the attention of worship is directed to God. Worship is theocentric and is not a performance in which a leader draws attention to himself or herself. The quality of sobriety means much more than leading without intoxication. Its Latin form is gravitate, so this reminds me that worship ought to be conducted with an awareness of its place in the life of God and his people. Worship is not frivolous. And finally, reverence, as Kardong notes, “no doubt has to do with the fact the whole liturgy is directed to all-holy God, before whom the only proper attitude is reverential awe” (Kardong, p. 381).

This is a good passage for me to keep in mind. It is an awesome and humbling task, to stand amidst the members of a gathered community and to speak both to them and to God. That’s why, even if I don’t use the words of the Psalmist to begin a homily, they cross my mind as a prayer:

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14, NRSV).

Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus.