Kudos to Bp. Trautman of Erie, Pennsylvania!
Have you heard of the Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago? It is the largest single congregation in the United States, founded by a minister who surveyed people to ascertain what they wanted in worship. He designed a new church that would cater to their responses. He eliminated the organ and substituted all electronic music; he eliminated ymnals and hired professional musicians who write new hymns each week. He eliminated the cross because it made people feel uncomfortable. He employed a staff of writers to prepare his sermons. The purpose of the church is to sell Jesus softly, and this approach has been a huge success. The church operates with more than 150 staff members and a multi-million-dollar budget. The church gives people what they want: It is like an ecclesiastical WalMart, but it is not the Gospel.
Wow....I can hardly believe, given what I think of his thoughts on liturgical translation, how much I want to buy this man a serving of his favorite beverage...
