Worship as a Laboratory of Faith: The Brethren Way
Worship is a workshop, a laboratory of faith. What we do with God shapes what we believe about God, and what we believe about God shapes what we do when we gather. This powerful cycle forms the foundation of our spiritual lives.
As the early church in Acts demonstrated, believers devoted themselves daily to teaching, table fellowship, and prayers. This rhythm of faith and life formed a people who resembled the risen Lord Jesus. As theologian NT Wright often says, "We become that which we worship." Our liturgy—the things we do, say, sing, and pray—is all spiritual formation. Our faith habits train our hearts long before we consciously notice their impact.
What Makes the Church of the Brethren Unique?
The Brethren way can be summarized in three powerful symbols: towel, table, and tank.
The Towel
The towel represents John 13, where Jesus washed His disciples' feet. This act of humble service demonstrates how we are called to serve one another with humility and love.
The Table
The table comes from 1 Corinthians 11, representing communion and fellowship. It's where we gather to remember Christ's sacrifice and to be reconciled with one another.
The Tank
The baptismal tank (or river) symbolizes Acts 2—going under with Jesus and rising into new life. Baptism by triune immersion reflects our Trinitarian theology: three dunks into one love, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
How Does Worship Shape Our Theology?
Our worship practices aren't arbitrary—they reveal and reinforce what we believe about God:
* Foot washing shapes a theology of humble equality among believers
* The shared meal shapes a theology of reconciliation
* Baptism shapes a theology of dying and rising daily as brothers and sisters
* Anointing shapes a theology of God with us in weakness
* Congregational prayer shapes a theology of peace, hope, and healing
When Paul corrected the Corinthians about their communion practices, he wasn't being picky—he was being pastoral. A table worship that ignores the poor tells a false story about God. True theology demands a reconciling table.
How Does Our Theology Shape Our Worship?
Just as worship informs our theology, our beliefs about God shape how we worship:
* Because we center on Jesus, our services elevate New Testament scripture
* Because we believe in the body of Christ, we practice participation
* Because we trust the Holy Spirit, we make room for silence and surprise
* Because we hold to peace, we pray for enemies and seek reconciliation
* Because we value simplicity, we resist performance-oriented worship
Why Do Brethren Practice Congregational Discernment?
Our polity—the way we structure church life—matches our worship. We practice congregational discernment together because we believe Christ is the head of the church, and the gathered body listens for the Spirit together. This reflects our belief that the Spirit gifts the whole body, not just individual leaders.
That's why our services make room for many voices through teaching, testimonies, music, and prayer requests. We welcome new members through confession of faith and baptism, celebrating belonging as a gathered community.
What Can We Learn from Everyday Tables?
Faith formation happens in many contexts. In Italy, church often happened at tables in homes—espresso, pasta, scripture, and stories all braided together. Kitchens can be sanctuaries, and saints sometimes wear aprons.
Even in secular settings like wedding venues or hotels, we see that tables are holy places. Hospitality is a sacred event. A set table where families gather says, "You matter"—a reminder of what the Lord's table represents as well.
How Can Worship Tell the Truth About God?
Paul warns that worship can lie about God if our table excludes, our songs boast, or our prayers ignore pain. Our practices sometimes need repentance, not polishing.
Worship must lead to witness. The towel means we serve first, not sweep away problems. The table reconciles us. The tank sends us to live out our baptisms in public. We carry these symbols into our homes, streets, and workplaces as we show up, learn names, and make room for others.
Life Application
As we consider the Brethren way of worship, here are three practices to incorporate this season:
* The Towel: Serve in quiet ways that cost you something. Look for opportunities to humble yourself in service to others, especially when it's inconvenient.
* The Table: Eat and reconcile, especially with those unlike you. Who could you invite to share a meal? Where are relationships that need healing?
* The Tank: Remember your baptismal vows and renew them in daily choices. How are you dying to self and rising with Christ in your everyday decisions?
* Testimony: Tell others where Jesus has met you. Stories train belief and form faith for both young and old.
Remember, you are not a spectator in worship or in faith. You are part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation called to serve with sleeves rolled up. What gift can you bring to the community? The Spirit will braid it in.
Ask yourself: How am I participating in worship beyond just attending? In what ways do my worship practices align with what I believe about God? How can I make love "the loudest thing in the room" this week?
Let's commit to keeping worship participatory and Christ-centered, planning well but holding those plans lightly, allowing God's love to be our defining characteristic.
