vision
Leitourgia (light org ee ah) is a fully funded, year-long, intergenerational, mentorship opportunity for churches seeking new ways to incorporate youth into the worship life of their congregations. The project connects youth and participating adults with other area churches while exploring the rich and diverse ways Christians worship the Triune God. Participants not only discover the depth of Christian worship practices, but will develop their own talents through hands-on training from seasoned leaders and professors. Leitourgia’s core commitments are:
VALUES
1. Investing in the lives of teenagers
High school students long for deeper connection and participation in the lives of their local congregations. Studies show that students who experience greater investment by and in their local church are much more likely to remain faithful disciples as they grow into adults. This program helps youth experience greater agency by equipping and encouraging them to use their gifts in the worshipping life of their local church. Participants will benefit from focused training by local practitioners and teachers, as well as nationally known artists and leaders.
2. For the sake of the church
We are convinced that you cannot talk about worship without talking about the church. Music, visual art, drama, dance, technology, etc. all find deeper purpose when they serve the community gathered for worship of the Triune God. This program seeks to cultivate a deep love for the local church by exploring the nature of the church universal.
3. Wedded to racial reconciliation
Relatedly, we believe that worship is a vital component and expression of racial reconciliation. If we are to take Jesus’s prayer for unity in John 17 to heart, we must wrestle against the scandal of disunity in the church. Such efforts rest on the work of the Spirit as we build relationships with one another. For this reason, the program centers on a small, cohort model as a way of building deep relationships among diverse congregations.
4. Centered on common worship
The heartbeat of this project is a rhythm of shared worship. Participants will experience Christian worship in its rich diversity and commonality at each gathering. The year-long program concludes with a night of worship in which all participating congregations will be invited to join together in a closing service led by those completing the project.
